Age-related increase of plasma platelet-activating factor concentrations in Chinese

Abstract

Background: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent bioactive phospholipid, which may be one of the determinants of atherogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of plasma platelet-activating factor and age in a common Chinese population. Methods: Two-hundred seventy-nine Han nation subjects (male: n=162; female: n=117) who had visited two hospitals for overall health survey, as an annual medical check-up or for other reasons by clinical examinations were recruited and divided into six age groups (21–30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60, 61–70, 71–80 years). PAF was extracted from their plasma and purified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The PAF concentrations were detected by radioimmunoassay. Results: The PAF concentrations (pg/ml) in plasma showed significantly age-related increase ( r=0.3348, P<0.01, n=279). In the 21–30-year group, the PAF concentration was 338±96 pg/ml. Except for the 31–40-year group, the PAF concentrations in other four groups were all higher than that of the 21–30-year group ( P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Considering PAF is one of the key factors relevant to progression of atherogenesis, and the high concentrations of plasma PAF may therefore serve as a marker for the risk of atherosclerosis. Adjustment of the concentrations of plasma PAF correlated with aging may be helpful to reducing the prevalence rate of multi-senile arteriosclerosis occlusive diseases.