ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To study the inhibitory effect of ginkgolide B (BN52021) on the PAF induced changes of chemotaxis of murine peritoneal macrophages and the related polymerization of F-actin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chemotaxis assays were performed using a modified 48-well Boyden chamber. Actin polymerization of murine peritoneal macrophages was analyzed by flow cytometry using a specific fluorescent stain.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Peritoneal macrophages significantly migrated toward platelet-activating factor (PAF) through a micropore filter; however, in the presence of PAF receptor antagonist BN52021 (0.01 nmol x L(-1) -0.1 micromol x L(-1)), the migration was significantly inhibited. Moreover, BN52021 inhibited the actin polymerization of murine peritoneal macrophages induced by PAF in the presence of Ca2+, but not in Ca2+ -free medium.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggested that preventing polymerization of F-actin may be a pathway by BN52021 to inhibit the chemotaxis of macrophages, and this effect seems to be Ca2+ dependent. The data further indicated that inhibition of PAF induced macrophage chemotaxis is an important mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory action of BN52021.</p>