Objective: To investigate the injurious effects of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and
platelet-activating factor (PAF)
on the liver and the protective effects of PAF antagonist BN50739 in rats. Methods: The changes of AST, ALT, LDH and tissue MDA were measured and mitochondrial SDH activity and the morphology of hepatic tissue observed in vivo. Meanwhile, the survival rate of
hepatocytes, supernatant LDH of cultured hepatocytes and hepatocytic membrane fluidity were also detected. Results: ①The marked increase in serum AST, ALT and LDH and tissue MDA induced by LPS and PAF were significantly reduced by pretreatment with BN50739 (P<0.05). ②The decrease of SDH in the liver by LPS and PAF was also significantly improved by BN50739 (P<0.05). ③BN50739 could partially attenuate such morphological changes induced by LPS and PAF in the liver as central vein hyperemia, hepatic sinusoid dilation and inflammatory infiltration. Multifocal necrosis was observed only in the case of LPS. ④There was no marked increase of the supernatant LDH of cultured hepatocytes but the membrane fluidity was markedly decreased by LPS and PAF. Conclusion: BN50739 has some protective effects on hepatic injury induced by LPS and PAF via suppressing peroxidation and protecting hepatic energy metabolism pathway.