INCREASED PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR SYNTHESIS IN EXPERIMENTAL COLITIS AFTER DICLOFENAC AND 5-AMINOSALICYLIC ACID

We examined the role of platelet activating factor in dextran induced colitis in mice. The release of pro-inflammatory platelet activating f actor by colonic mucosa after the application of prednisolone was mark edly decreased, unaffected after treatment with the platelet activatin g factor receptor antagonist BN52021 and significantly increased after treatment with 5-amino-salicylic acid and diclofenac. This increase o f platelet activating factor could be responsible for the harmful effe cts often seen after treatment with specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors during inflammation.