platelet activating factor
Last reviewed 01/2018
Platelet activating factor is a lipid-acetyl glycerol ether phosphocholine (AGEPC) derived from a cell membrane constituent, glycerophorylcholine. It can be produced from a range of inflammatory cells and has an enormous range of functions which mirror almost every facet of inflammation.
Glucocorticoids may exert their anti-inflammatory role by their activation of lipocortin, a peptide inhibitor of phospholipase A2. Phospholipase A2 is involved in the early stages of PAF production.