LEFLUNOMIDE INHIBITS PAF INDUCED DNA SYNTHESIS IN RABBIT SYNOVIAL CELLS AND PAF PRODUCTION FROM RAT PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES

eflunomide(LFM ,HWA486)isanisoxazolderivativewithantiphogisticandnovel immunomodulating properties.It has been shown to be very effective in preventing and curingarthritis.In this report we found that platelet-activating factor(PAF)at 0. 1～10μg· mL^-1 signifi-cantly stimulated DNA synthesis in cultured rabbit synovial cells. While LFM and its metaboliteA771726 elicited inhibitory effects on this action of PAF. These two agents were also shown tomarkedly inhibit A 2318 7 induced PAF production from rat peritoneal macrophages. The inhibitionwas dose and time-dependent.The inhibitory effects of LFM and A77l726 on DNA synthesis insynovial cells and PAF production from macrophages may play an important role in the anti-inflammatorv effects of LFM.