Augmented production of platelet-activating factor in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by ketone bodies

The production of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in A23187-stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was markedly increased in the presence of 5 mM acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate. Such an augmentation was observed even at 500 microM but not at 50 microM. The augmented production of PAF by acetoacetate was also observed in the presence of autologous serum and was most prominent in the case of opsonized zymosan-stimulation rather than A23187-stimulation. These observations suggest that increased levels of acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate in blood may lead to the augmented production of PAF, which would amplify the various PAF-mediated biological reactions.