Plasma lyso-phosphatidylcholine concentration is decreased in cancer patients with weight loss and activated inflammatory status

Abstract

Background: It has been observed that ras-transformed cell lines in culture have a higher phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis rate as well as higher PC-degradation rate (increased PCturnover) than normal cells. In correspondence to these findings, the concentrations of the PCdegradation product lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) in cancer patients were found to be decreased. Our objective was the systematic investigation of the relationship between LPC and inflammatory and nutritional parameters in cancer patients. Therefore, plasma LPC concentrations were assessed in 59 cancer patients and related to nutritional and inflammatory parameters. To determine LPC in blood plasma we developed and validated a HPTLC method.

Lysophosphatidylcholine Pretreatment Reduces VLA-4 and P-Selectin–Mediated B16.F10 Melanoma Cell Adhesion In vitro and Inhibits Metastasis-Like Lung Invasion In vivo

“…This has also been observed in other tumor cells (Jantscheff et al, unpublished data) and this effect can be discussed as one possible cause for the strongly reduced LysoPC plasma amounts observed in patients with advanced metastatic cancer (17)(18)(19)(20)(21). In addition, a radical shift in tumor cell membrane FA composition toward saturated FAs was observed, culminating between 48 and 72 hours without increasing after further LysoPC exposure (Fig.…”

“…The FA composition of plasma LysoPC in healthy individuals is comparable with that of total plasma PL; our unpublished studies confirm that more than 31% of the plasma LysoPC molecules carry unsaturated FAs. Various clinical observations have shown that plasma LysoPC levels are often decreased in advanced metastatic cancer patients (17)(18)(19)(20), especially when weight loss and inflammatory processes occur (21). This finding suggests a deregulation of the aforementioned LysoPC balance by malignant tumors and clearly indicates the potential importance of LysoPC in metastatic and cachectic processes.…”

Modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerosis by lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2

“…For example, relatively low (nanomolar) concentrations of lyso-PC recruit monocytes and induce pro-infl ammatory cytokine production in vitro ( 81 ). However, the concentration of lyso-PC in blood plasma of healthy persons usually ranges from 200 to 400 M ( 82,83 ), and similar levels have been reported in atherosclerotic tissues ( 45 ). Because lyso-PC, unlike PC, is membrane lytic, it is predominantly confi ned to lipoproteins or plasma proteins, such as albumin or immunoglobulins ( 83,84 ).…”

“…However, the concentration of lyso-PC in blood plasma of healthy persons usually ranges from 200 to 400 M ( 82,83 ), and similar levels have been reported in atherosclerotic tissues ( 45 ). Because lyso-PC, unlike PC, is membrane lytic, it is predominantly confi ned to lipoproteins or plasma proteins, such as albumin or immunoglobulins ( 83,84 ). As a result, only a fraction of lyso-PC is functionally active, and it is unclear how total concentration relates to bioavailability ( 73,85 ).…”

Immunomodulatory Actions of Lysophosphatidylcholine

“…Further supporting this notion, plasma levels of LPC are correlated inversely with inflammatory parameters, such as plasma C-reactive protein and whole blood hydrogen peroxide levels in cancer patients (Taylor et al, 2007).…”