Abstract

Phospholipids of optic nerve (n = 30) from 5.6-kg rabbits were analyzed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Phospholipid metabolites detected were as follows (mol %): phosphatidylcholine (PC; 25.82 +/- 0.12), PC plasmalogen/alkylacyl PC (2.07 +/- 0.13), sphingosylphosphorycholine (1.12 +/- 0.20), phosphatidylinositol (PI; 2.17 +/- 0.21), lyso PC (0.85 +/- 0.06), sphingomyelin (12.52 +/- 0.10); phosphatidylserine (PS; 14.38 +/- 0.11), phosphatidylethanolamine (8.98 +/- 0.11), ethanolamine plasmalogen (28.99 +/- 0.30), unidentified phospholipid (1.10 +/- 0.01), phosphatidic acid (PA; 1.72 +/- 0.06), and lyso PS (0.28 +/- 0.10). The bulk of the ethanolamine phosphatide is in the form of its plasmalogen, which is the major phospholipid detected. The choline plasmalogen, or a reduced derivative thereof, also is present; thus, a significant phospholipid biosynthetic pathway for optic nerve tissue involves the plasmalogen route, which is a pathway distinct from the PA route responsible for the synthesis of PS, PI, and PC. This new 31P NMR lipid analytical technique offers potential for studying optic nerve phospholipid metabolism and degenerating optic nerve tissue, since the technique can accurately quantitate (1) both plasmalogen and nonplasmalogen phospholipids, (2) minor phospholipid components, and (3) previously undetected phospholipids.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.