Platelet Activating Factor in Respiratory Disease

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a highly potent lipid mediator which has been implicated in inflammation and particularly in allergic inflammation, including asthma.1–3 It is released from many of the inflammatory cells which are known to be activated in asthma and has many inflammatory effects on airways. This has suggested that PAF antagonists might be useful in the therapy of asthma and other pulmonary inflammatory diseases.45 The purpose of this chapter is to review the potential role of PAF in inflammatory diseases of the airways, and to discuss the effects of recently developed PAF receptor antagonists.