Dual activities of PAF in central nervous system and its values in development of new drugs
- VernacularTitle:血小板活化因子在中枢神经系统中的双重活性及在新药开发中的价值
- Author:
Juan LI
;
Hongzhuan CHEN
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
platelet activating factor;
learning and memory;
long-term potentiation;
Alzheimer's disease;
HIV-associated dementia;
cerebral ischemia
- From:
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
2000;0(03):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Platelet-activating factor (PAF), an endogenous bioactive lipid generated by phospholipase A2 and other pathways, displays a variety of biological activities in the nervous system. It has been suggested that PAF plays important roles in neuronal physiological functions including acting as a retrograde messenger to enhance synapse plasticity and memory formation, via activation of its specific membrane receptors.Therefore,the drugs that mimic the action of PAF or modulate the production and inactivation of PAF maybe promising in memory-enhancing. However, under certain pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, HIV-associated dementia or post-ischemic neuronal death, acting as a potent inflammatory mediator and neurotoxin, PAF has been implicated in the pathophysiology of brain injury. So, modulating the metabolism and effects of PAF (e.g., blocking the PAF receptor) may become important strategies of intervention of Alzheimer's disease, HIV-associated dementia or post-ischemic neuronal death.
