Platelet-activating factor (PAF) strongly enhances contractile mechanical activities in guinea pig and mouse urinary bladder

Abstract In this study, we investigated the effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the basal tone and spontaneous contractile activities of guinea pig (GP) and mouse urinary bladder (UB) smooth muscle (UBSM) tissues to determine whether PAF could induce UBSM tissue contraction. In addition, we examined the mRNA expression of the PAF receptor, PAF-synthesizing enzyme (lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase, LPCAT), and PAF-degrading enzyme (PAF acetylhydrolase, PAF-AH) in GP and mouse UB tissues using RT-qPCR. PAF (10−9–10−6 M) strongly enhanced the basal tone and spontaneous contractile activities (amplitude and frequency) of GP and mouse UBSM tissues in a concentration-dependent manner. The enhancing effects of PAF (10−6 M) on both GP and mouse UBSM contractile activities were strongly suppressed by pretreatment with apafant (a PAF receptor antagonist, GP: 10−5 M; mouse: 3 × 10−5 M). The PAF receptor (Ptafr), LPCAT (Lpcat1, Lpcat2), and PAF-AH (Pafah1b3, Pafah2) mRNAs were detected in GP and mouse UB tissues. These findings reveal that PAF strongly enhances the contractile mechanical activities of UBSM tissues through its receptor and suggest that the PAF-synthesizing and -degrading system exists in UBSM tissues. PAF may serve as both an endogenous UBSM constrictor and an endogenous mediator leading to detrusor overactivity.