Neutron Activation Paper Chromatographic Analysis of Phospholipids in Human Liver and Bile.

Abstract

Phospholipids in human liver and bile were analyzed using a neutron activation paper chromatographic technique. Phosphatidylserine, phosphoinositide and choline plasmalogen as well as lecithin, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin were found to be present. Further evidence for the presence of lysolecithin in normal human bile is also presented. Similar results were obtained with rat bile using radioactive phosphorus. Lecithin comprises more than 80% of the phospholipids in human bile in contrast to liver, where it comprises 45%, indicating a selective secretion of phospholipid classes from liver into bile. The difference found in the fatty acid composition of the total phospholipids in human liver and bile by gas chromatography, coincides with the findings on the differences in phospholipid composition.