AIM: To determine whether Platelet activating factor (PAF)has a regulation role in the expression of adhesion moleculesand accumulation of neutrophils in a murine model of acutepancreatitis.METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight Kunming mice weredivided into four groups. Group 1 received 0.1 mi saline s.c.every hour for three hours (sham). Group 2 received cerulein(50 μg/kg dose s.c.) every hour for three hours. Group 3received AP and additional challenge of PAF (50 rg/kg inabsolute ethanol) (AP/PAF). Group 4 received AP, plustherapeutic treatment with GAB (25 mg dose i.p.) immediatelyafter the first challenge of cerulein (AP/GAB). Animals weresacrificed at 12 h after the first challenge of saline or cerulein.Adhesion molecules of pancreas were semi-quantified bySP methods. Standard assays were performed for serumamylase and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) of pancreas.Histology of pancreas was scored in a blind manner. Watercontent of pancreas was also measured at the same time.RESULTS: Control pancreata showed negligible adhesionmolecule expression and neutrophil accumulation. Therewere evident adhesion molecules expression and neutrophilaccumulation in AP and AP/PAF compared with sham (P＜0.05).AP/GAB had a lower level of adhesion molecules, neutrophils,and water content versus AP and AP/PAF (P＜0.05). Histologyshowed a trend toward improvement in AP/GAB, but didnot reach statistical significance.CONCLUSION: PAF can induce the expression of adhesionmolecules that mediate neutrophil accumulation. The PAFantagonist reduces the expression of adhesion moleculesand the severity of inflammation when given immediatelyafter the induction of mild AP in mice. These results suggestthat PAF antagonism may be useful in the treatment of mildpancreatitis after its clinical onset.