Platelet activating factor (PAF), a bioactive phospholipid, strongly contracts esophageal smooth muscle

Dr. Keisuke Obara(left), Prof. Yoshio Tanaka(center),
Dr. Kento Yoshioka(right)

A research group led by Dr. Keisuke Obara, Dr. Kento Yoshioka, and Professor Yoshio Tanaka of the Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, found that platelet activating factor (PAF), a bioactive phospholipid, strongly contracts esophageal smooth muscle (ESM). In addition, the researchers also revealed that PAF-induced ESM contractions are elicited by extracellular Ca²⁺ influx through receptor-operated Ca²⁺ channels (ROCCs) and store-operated Ca²⁺ channels (SOCCs), but not through voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels (VDCCs). These findings were published in advance in the journal “Journal of Pharmacological Sciences” on February 16, 2024.

Dr. Keisuke Obara(left), Prof. Yoshio Tanaka(center), Dr. Kento Yoshioka(right)

A research group led by Dr. Keisuke Obara, Dr. Kento Yoshioka, and Professor Yoshio Tanaka of the Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, found that platelet activating factor (PAF), a bioactive phospholipid, strongly contracts esophageal smooth muscle (ESM). In addition, the researchers also revealed that PAF-induced ESM contractions are elicited by extracellular Ca²⁺ influx through receptor-operated Ca²⁺ channels (ROCCs) and store-operated Ca²⁺ channels (SOCCs), but not through voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels (VDCCs). These findings were published in advance in the journal “Journal of Pharmacological Sciences” on February 16, 2024.

Representative traces (A) and summarized data (B) showing the effects of PAF (10⁻⁹ M, a; 10⁻⁸ M, b; 10⁻⁷ M, c; 10⁻⁶ M, d) on isolated guinea pig esophageal muscularis mucosae.

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