PAF-acether-induced mortality in mice: protection by benzodiazepines.

Intraperitoneal injection to mice of platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces severe shock symptoms, leading to death. The effects of various drugs which are potential specific or non-specific PAF inhibitors were tested. Salbutamol, a beta 2-agonist, showed a partial protection, whereas the specific PAF antagonists CV 3988 or BN 52021 induced an important beneficial action against PAF-induced lethal effects. The effects of drugs related to benzodiazepines were also studied: alprazolam administered p.o. prior to PAF challenge provides almost complete protection against PAF toxicity. Thus PAF-induced death in mice represents a useful model of systemic anaphylaxis; moreover, studies of benzodiazepine-related compounds may be interesting for investigating the mechanisms of the biological actions of PAF.