title: Studies of myo-inositol and plasmalogen metabolism in rat brain.
abstract: Plasmalogens are ether-linked phospholipids that are abundant in nervous tissues. Their biological role is unclear, but may involve membrane structure/function and antioxidant activities. This study further investigates a recent report that chronic administration of myo-inositol in rats increased brain phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn). We examined the effects of myo-inositol administration on the incorporation of [2-(13)C]ethanolamine ([2-(13)C]Etn) into rat brain phospholipids using NMR spectroscopy. Rats received either acute myo-inositol (single dose) +/- [2-(13)C]Etn, or chronic myo-inositol (10-day treatment) + [2-(13)C]Etn. Controls received saline rather than myo-inositol. Acute myo-inositol produced a 68% increase in brain [myo-inositol] and an increase in the incorporation of [2-(13)C]Etn into phospholipids (P < .05). The PlsEtn/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio and the [PlsEtn] were increased by 27% and 30%, respectively. The PlsEtn content as a mole percentage of total phospholipids was elevated (P < or = .05). Acute administration of myo-inositol + ethanolamine illustrates a positive correlation between the brain [myo-inositol] and the biosynthesis of ethanolamine phospholipids, with preferential synthesis of PlsEtn.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University School of Medicine, WSU Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Cox Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45429, USA.
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoffman-Kuczynski
authors.forename: Nicholas V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Reo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D007294:Inositol / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D010955:Plasmalogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
chemical_list: D010955:Plasmalogens; D007294:Inositol