Is mannitol effective against platelet-activating factor (PAF) -induced liver damage in obstructive jaundice?
Coker, A.; Coker, I.; Huseyinov, A.; Sokmen, S.; Karademir, S.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 48(40): 1134-1137
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 11490817 Document Number: 527801
Background/Aims: Platelet-activating factor, is a unique phospholipid with a broad range of biological activities that may be relevant in the development of inflammatory reactions. Platelet-activating factor has been suspected to play an important role in liver pathophysiology. The cultured Kupffer and endothelial cells produce and release platelet-activating factor in order to facilitate communication between hepatic sinusoidal and parenchymal cells. In this study, in the experimental jaundice model, platelet-activating factor levels were measured in liver tissue and plasma and the possible effects of mannitol on this mediator were assessed. Methodology: The experimental model consisted of 7 rats in the control group (CG), 7 rats in the sham operation group (ShG), and 7 rats in the obstructive jaundice group (JG) created by ligating the common bile duct. The last group was the mannitol-treated jaundiced group (MJG) and all animals in this group received 20% mannitol in doses of 2mL/day, intraperitoneally, following common bile duct ligation. A week later all animals were sacrificed and plasma and liver tissue samples were collected. Platelet-activating factor levels were measured by radioimmunoassay technique. Results: Liver tissue platelet activating factor levels (pg/mg tissue protein) were 72+-18 in the CG, 183+-51 in the JG, 84+-17 in ShG, and 124+-36 in MJG. Plasma levels were 460+-13, 1600+-40, 560+-19, and 1200+-23, respectively. In both sample types, MJG and JG values were significantly different from CG and ShG as well. MJG levels were also different from JG. Conclusions: These results showed that plasma and liver tissue platelet-activating factor levels are increased in experimental obstructive jaundice; and activation of this mediator contributes to the ongoing liver injury. Mannitol may improve or lessen this damage.