Platelet-Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase (PAFAH) is a secreted enzyme which belongs to the AB hydrolase superfamily and Lipase family and catalyzes the degradation of platelet-activating factor to biologically inactive products. PAFAH is produced by inflammatory cells and hydrolyzes oxidised phospholipids in LDL. PAFAH has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and has also been identified as a marker for cardiac disease. PAFAH might have a major physiologic effect in the presence of inflammatory bodily responses. PAFAH alters the action of PAF by hydrolyzing the sn-2 ester bond to yield the biologically inactive lyso-PAF. PAFAH has specificity for substrates with a short residue at the sn-2 position.
