Contraction of guinea pig ileal smooth muscle by acetyl glyceryl ether phosphorylcholine

Acetyl glyceryl ether phosphorylcholine (AGEPC) is a chemical that has the biological activity of what was formerly termed platelet-activating factor. We report here that synthetic AGEPC induces the contraction of guinea pig ileal smooth muscle. Antagonists of histamine, acetylcholine, and slow-reacting substances (SRS) do not block AGEPC-induced contraction. These responses were long lasting, resistant to washing, and displayed complete agonist specific desensitization. Histamine- and SRS-induced contractions were unaffected by AGEPC. These studies show that AGEPC has the potential to produce a component of anaphylactically induced smooth muscle contraction.