Application Notes:
This product is a well-defined high purity lyso-phosphatidylcholine (PC) containing palmitic acid acylated to the sn-1
position and a hydroxyl group on the sn-2 position. lyso-PC is formed by the action of phospholipase A2 on
phosphatidylcholine by hydrolyzing the fatty acid on the sn-2 position. lyso-PC has many cellular functions but it is quickly
acylated or further degraded in living systems. It has been found to stimulate phagocytosis, change the surface properties of
erythrocytes, and have pro-inflammatory and cell signaling properties. lyso-Lecithin induces demyelination of nerves in
biological systems and can therefore be used to mimic some of the effects of demyelinating diseases.1 Lyso-PC activates the
enzyme phospholipase C, which releases diacylglycerols and inositol triphosphate, thus mediating a number of different
functions. lysophosphatidylcholine has also been shown to be protective against lethal sepsis in some studies. In endothelial
membranes it produces a selective unresponsiveness to receptor-regulated endothelium-dependent vasodilators, causing
atherosclerosis.2 lyso-PC has been demonstrated to induce a fibrillation-like arrhythmia in isolated cardiomyocytes.3 This
high purity product has natural stereochemistry and is ideal as a standard and for biological systems.4
References:
1. R. Woodruff and R. Franklin “Demyelination and remyelination of the caudal cerebellar peduncle of adult rats following stereotaxic injections of
lysolecithin, ethidium bromide, and complement/anti-galactocerebroside: A comparative study” Glia, vol. 25 pp. 216-228, 1999
2. P. Henry et al. “Impairment of endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation by lysolecithin in modified low-density lipoproteins” Nature, vol. 344 pp. 160-
162, 1990
3.E. Omerovic et al. “Pro-Arrhythmic Effects of Lysolecithin on Isolated Cardiomyocytes” Circulation, 2008;118:S_922
4. A. Simonsen “Activation of Phospholipase A2 by Ternary Model Membranes” Biophysical Journal., vol. 94 pp. 3966-3975, 2008