In order to evaluate whether changes in plasma phospholipid composition are rapidly transmitted to the red blood cell membrane (RBCM) under in vivo conditions, the levels of major phospholipids in plasma, low density and high density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) as well as in RBCM were determined before (pre), directly after (post) and 2 days after (48 h post) LDL apheresis in six patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia. LDL apheresis induced a 30-70% decrease in plasma and LDL cholesterol and total phospholipid levels within 2-3 h. Concomitantly, the percentages of plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) and the PC/sphingomyelin (SM) ratio were increased compared to initial values. The percentage of plasma lyso PC (LPC) determined before apheresis in the patients was 30% lower with respect to the mean level of LPC in a normolipidaemic control. For LPC of LDL no differences were observed between normolipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. LDL apheresis induced a rise by about one third in the percentage of plasma LPC. At 48 h post, plasma LPC levels reapproached pre-apheresis levels, while the percentages of PC and the PC/SM ratio remained elevated. The pattern of changes induced by apheresis in plasma PC, SM and LPC levels was mimicked by changes in RBCM phospholipids. Strong positive relationships were noted for PC, SM and PC/SM as determined at pre, post and 48 h post between plasma and RBCM. In summary, changes in plasma PC, LPC, and PC/SM ratios as induced by LDL apheresis are rapidly transmitted to the RBCM under in vivo conditions, most probably as a result of phospholipid transfer between both compartments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.