The Neuroinflammatory Response Induced by PAF Can Be Attenuated by BN52021 Administration

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether BN52021, a platelet-activation factor receptor (PAFR) antagonist, could provide neuroprotection from the cytotoxic effects of PAF-induced neuroinflammation. Methods: The inflammagen platelet-activation factor (PAF) was first added to cultured PC12 cells. BN52021 was then added 24 hours later, survival rate and rate of apoptosis of the PC12 cells was determined by the MTT method and flow cytometry. In addition, PAF was injected into the fourth ventricle, and the effect of BN52021 administration was determined in rats. Results: PAF induced apoptosis in cultured PC12 cells, and BN52021 administration protected PC12 cells from PAF-induced apoptosis. When PAF is injected into the fourth ventricle, PAF induces acute neuroinflammation in the whole brain of rats. Acute PAF infusions also impaired spatial recognition in rats. The peripheral administration of BN52021 (i.p.) protected the rats from this impairment in spatial recognition. Conclusion: The PAFR antagonist BN52021 provides neuroprotection from the cytotoxic effects induced by the inflamagen PAF.