Platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase activity, type II phospholipase A2, and cytokine levels in patients with sepsis.

Abstract

Platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) activity was measured in patients with sepsis, and its relationships with various cytokines and endotoxin were evaluated. PAF-AH activity was significantly higher (p = 0.0136) in 17 patients who died than 13 patients who survived. PAF-AH activity showed significant correlations with the plasma endotoxin, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 levels. These findings suggest that PAF-AH activity reflects the severity of the pathological condition.