Prolonged retention of doubly labeled phosphatidylcholine in human plasma and erythrocytes after oral administration

Abstract

The plasma kinetics of a preparation of dilinoleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DLPC) specifically labeled with³H in the choline moiety and with¹⁴C in the 2‐fatty acid (FA) were evaluated in six healthy volunteers after oral administration. Retention of both isotopes in plasma exceeded expectations, with a half‐life in the elimination phase of 172.2 h for³H and 69.7 h for¹⁴C. Up to 60 d after administration, there were still significant levels of radioactivity present in plasma. The relative stability of the [¹⁴C]FA label was demonstrated by the retention for more than 12 h of an isotope ratio close to that of the compound administered. The¹⁴C label of DLPC remained in position‐2, as assessed by cleavage of plasma phospholipids with phospholipase A₂. The [³H]choline label showed an early incorporation into high density lipoproteins and subsequently into low density lipoproteins (LDL); conversely, the¹⁴C radioactivity was rapidly incorporated into triacylglycerols that were mainly associated with very low density lipoproteins. Radioactivity measurements revealed that both isotopes remained the longest time in LDL. In red blood cell (RBC) lipids, [³H]choline radioactivity accumulated over time, with a plateau after 48 h, whereas FA radioactivity accumulated more rapidly and was followed by a progressive decay. Analysis of the isotope ratio in these cells suggested an early incorporation of lyso products followed by rapid transfer of FA from plasma. The RBC maintained considerable radioactivity for a prolonged time, thus acting as a possible reservoir for the DLPC administered. Our study showed that dilinoleoyl PC remained in plasma longer than predicted based on earlier studies, and that after absorption the FA label was found in position 2.