Prospects for the diagnosis and treatment of plasmalogen deficiency

Abstract

The review presents data on the biological significance of plasmalogens, their synthesis in peroxisomes, subsequent transformation cascade, and the relevance of their role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases. Plasmalogens, being a unique subclass of glycerophospholipids,play the role of structural proteins, signaling molecules, antioxidants. Deficiency of plasmalogens is known in genetically determined peroxisomal diseases – Refsum’s disease, rhizomelic point chondrodysplasia, Zellweger’s disease, etc. A number of age-related neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) are also characterized by a decrease in the level of plasmalogens due to impaired synthesis and / or acceleration of their biodegradation. Along with the endogenous reasons for the decrease in the level of plasmalogens the authors consider the mechanism of their insufficient synthesis by anaerobes of the intestinal microbiota. These findings reinforce the clinicalrelevanceof the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Many companies allover the world develop drugs and biologically active additives (dietary supplements) with a high content of plasmalogens, being adsorbedin the small intestine and entering the targettissues and organs. The authors emphasizethe prospects of studying metabolites of intestinal microorganisms, directly or indirectly affecting developmental disorders in children, in particular, autism spectrum diseases.