Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) as central player for hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation: implication for the pathogenesis of NASH

Background: In NASH the intracellular ratio of phosphatidylcholine (PC): lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is decreased due to activation of the membrane localized phospholipase A2 (iPLA2ß). Aim: Evaluation of LPC levels in development and reversal of hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation. Methods: In HepG2 cells the bile acid-phospholipid conjugate ursodeoxycholate-lysophosphatidylethanolamide (UDCA-LPE) as iPLA2ß inhibitor was used to modify intracellular LPC levels. We examined the impact of LPC on JNK1-p and transcription of the heterotetrameric fatty acid transport complex constituted of CD36, FABPPM, caveo…