INCREASED LEVELS OF BLOOD PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMATIC-PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE SYMPTOMS

Levels of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in blood from 12 bronchial asthmatic patients (six atopic and six nonatopic) were measured by rad ioimmunoassay after lipid extraction and separation by high-performanc e liquid chromatography. None of the patients were given disodium crom oglycate and prednisolone, and they were instructed to take only regul ar medications during the tests. Blood was drawn from the patients in a fasting state, and PAF levels were compared between the times when t hey were free of asthmatic symptoms and when they had mild spontaneous attacks. Ten (six atopic and four nonatopic) out of 12 patients, when they had the asthmatic attacks, showed higher levels of PAF than when they were free of the symptoms. Blood PAF levels of the patients with the active symptoms were significantly higher than those of normal he althy control subjects, suggesting that PAF may play a role in bronchi al asthma.