Role of platelet activating factor on severity of ischemic colitis

PURPOSE: Ischemic colitis develops after a sudden decrease in colonic blood supply and has a variety of clinical manifestations. The aim of this study was to assess the role of platelet activating factor in the pathogenesis o f ischemic colitis with use of the platelet activating factor antagonist TC V-309. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups. Rats in Group RV underwent ring attachment around the rectum to induce partial obstructio n and ligation of the marginal vessels of the left colon. As control, rats in Group R underwent the ring attachment and rats in Group V underwent the vascular ligation. Rat in Group C underwent sham operation. The effects of TCV-309 on lesion formation in the colon were evaluated. Thiobarbituric aci d reactant level was determined in colonic mucosa, and the incidence and se verity of ischemic lesions were also determined. RESULTS: Lesions of coliti s were frequency observed in Group RV. TCV-309 did not prevent lesion forma tion, nor did it suppress the increase in thiobarbituric acid reactant leve l in Group RV. However, TCV-309 mitigated the severity of the lesion. CONCL USIONS: Partial obstruction of the colon tends to induce ischemic colitis, and additional ischemia completes lesion formation. Platelet activating fac tor may play a role in the progression of ischemic lesions.