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
