Abstract
Using 52 healthy human controls, the composition of fatty acid was determined serum phosphatidyl choline (PC), lysophosphatidyl choline (lyso PC) and cholesterol esters (CE) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).
The activity of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), which is believed to be related to the transfer of fatty acid in the lipid fraction, was determined. As well, the activity of lysolecithin acyltransferase (LAT), which transfers the acyl group into lyso PC to synthesize PC, was also determined. These studies were conducted to evaluate the enzymes' influence on the changes in composition of the fatty acids in arteriosclerotic diseases.
When compared to the control group, the IHD group had higher levels of palmitic acid and stearic acid in PC and CE, and lower levels of linoleic acid in PC and CE. Whereas, in the case of lyso PC, the levels of palmitic acid and stearic acid were lower and the level of linoleic acid was higher in the IHD group.
The activity of LAT was significantly higher in the IHD group. PC had a positive relationship to the level of palmitic acid, and lyso PC had a negative relationship. The synthesis of PC with lyso PC as the substrate was confirmed by these studies. It is believed that the elevation of LAT activity can accerelate the synthesis of PC in a high concentration by means of this mechanism.
These results suggest that the elevation of LAT activity in cases with IHD may influence changes in composition of fatty acids in PC, lyso PC and CE.
