Phosphatidylcholine

General information

Phosphatidylcholine and its derivatives form a class of phospholipids that are major components of biological membranes and pulmonary surfactant (dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine or lecithin). Phosphatidylcholine is an essential component of the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) complex that facilitates the transport of triacylglycerols out of the liver.

Subcutaneous injections of phosphatidylcholine have been used for localized subcutaneous fat reduction on the face and body [ ]. It has a detergent effect, causing non-specific lysis of cell membranes and disruption of fat and muscle architecture [ ]. It has also been formulated for this purpose as a gel [ ].

Bear bile (see Animal products ) contains bile acids, cholesterol, and phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol).

Some drugs are formulated as liposomes (for example, amphotericin, influenza vaccine, and iodixanol, qqv), and the main constituents of the liposome wall are phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine.

Miltefosine (qv) is an alkylphosphocholine derivative with a long-chain fatty acid-like backbone, which is structurally related to physiologically occurring phospholipids and is a phosphatidylcholine antagonist.

Drug studies