[Shifts in several aspects of phospholipid metabolism in the brain and liver of white rats during prolonged alcoholic intoxication].

Abstract

Phosphatidic acid, total and individual phospholipids and ethanolamine levels of rat brain and liver are changed considerably following 40 and even more so after 80, days of alcohol intoxication. In brain the content of phosphatidic acid and total and individual phospholipids is increased and that of ethanolamine reduced. In liver exactly the opposite changes take place with the exception of inositol containing phospholipids, which are considerably reduced both in brain and liver. The study of the first stages of phospholipid synthesis showed that during 40 and 80 days of alcohol intoxication activity of enzymes participating in the metabolism of L-alpha-glycerophosphate (glycerokinase, glycerophosphate dehydrogenase) is increased several fold. This brings to the increase of L-alpha-glycerophosphate, the main product of phosphatidogenesis, through activation of its formation by glycerokinase and glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. Inspite of the fact that in liver activity of enzymes taking part in the metabolism of L-alpha-glycerophosphate is considerably increased during chronic alcohol intoxication its level is not raised. This indicates an activation of phosphatidic acid formation from L-alpha-glycerophosphate and the immediate inclusion of phosphatidic acid in the biosynthesis of neutral fats. The data obtained indicate that chronic alcohol intoxication activates biosynthetic processes of phospholipids in brain and accelerates their break down in liver, bringing to the fatty infiltration of liver.