Platelet activating factor, a potent chemical mediator, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma in terms of inflammatory cell recruitment and activation. We have recently demonstrated that repeated antigen (ovalbumin; OA) exposure by inhalation to guinea pigs results in a development of late asthmatic response (LAR) in more than 50% of the animals and significant increase in airway hyperresponsiveness (AH). We have studied the effect of WEB 2086, a specific PAF receptor-antagonist, on this model. Respiratoly resistance (Res) of guinea pigs was measured by a oscillation technique and AH was evaluated by the provocative concentration of aerosols of histamine causing 200% increase of Rrs over the baseline Rrs (PC200 Hist). Four out of 5 actively sensitized and diphenhydramine-pretreated animals developed LAR 3 to 9 hr after allergen (20 mg/ml OA, 10 min inhalation)-induced immediate bronchoconstriction (LAR). Treatment with WEB 2086 (3 mg/kg intravenously) 30 min before and 3 hr after the exposure suppressed LAR clearly without affecting the IAR. Significant increase in AH from 2.80 +/- 0.03 to 2.51 +/- 0.01 and 2.60 +/- 0.08 (p less than 0.05, n = 8) of PC200 Hist (mg/ml, log) was observed 24 hr and 5 day after the OA exposure, respectively. The WEB 2086 treatment also prevented the increase of AH after the OA exposure (PC200 Hist; 2.82 +/- 0.09 before the challenge 2.80 +/- 0.07 and 2.75 +/- 0.09 24 hr and 5 days after, respectively. n = 8). Administration of WEB 2086 did not affect baseline Rrs and PC200 Hist in normal guinea pigs without any antigen challenge. We conclude that WEB 2086 is capable of preventing the development of LAR and increase in AH, and thus PAF may play an important causal role in LAR and increased AH observed in asthma.