The prerequisites for local lysolecithin formation in the human gallbladder.
Human gallbladder epithelium was disintegrated to complete loss of microscopic structure. The material obtained - an extract - was incubated at 37 degrees C together with a mixture of lecithin and lysolecithin, phospholipids known to be present in bile. During such incubation a change in the phospholipid composition occurred, indicating that lecithin was converted to lysolechitin. This conversion increased in the presence of CaCl2. Heating the disintegrated epithelium (70 degrees C for 10 min at pH 4) considerably increased the phospholipid conversion. The results are consistent with the presence of phospholipase A activity in human gallbladder epithelium. The possible significance of this activity is discussed in view of the inflammation-mediating activity of lysolecithin in the gallbladder epithelium.
D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000378:metabolism*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010743:Phospholipids; D002122:Calcium Chloride