Glycolipids in Granulomas during Growth

Abstract

Glycolipids in rat granulomas were examined every week for six weeks after agar implantation. Furthermore, tentative identification of the glycolipids in rat granulomas was carried out by thin layer chromatography and sugar analysis by gas-liquid chromatography.
The amounts of neutral glycolipid and ganglioside per gram wet weight of granuloma were the lowest in the first and second weeks, increased rapidly to the maximal level in the fourth week and then decreased gradually thereafter. Changes in the contents of these glycolipids were similar to those of phospholipid, but it was noticeable that the rate of increase of ganglioside content was significantly higher than those of the other two.
An analysis of glycolipids in the granulomas by thin layer chromatography and sugar analysis by gas-liquid chromatography showed that the principal glycolipids were ceramide tetrasaccharide and hematoside. Four other neutral glycolipids were also detected: ceramide monohexoside, ceramide dihexoside, ceramide trihexoside, and an unidentified glycolipid (glycolipid X). Glycolipid X is considered to be a new glycolipid, the carbohydrate moiety of which contains glucose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and fucose in a molar ratio of 1:3:1:1. Five other gangliosides were also found.
Glycolipid patterns on thin layer chromatography remained virtually unchanged during 6 weeks except that the band of glycolipid X was the most prominent in the first week but became gradually less prominent and was not detectable after the fifth week.