Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) as central player for control of hepatocellular fatty acid influx

Background: In NASH the intracellular ratio of phosphatidylcholine (PC): lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is decreased due to activation of phospholipase A2. Responsible is the calcium independent membrane phospholipase A2 (iPLA2β) which is part of the heterotetrameric fatty acid uptake complex consisting also of FABPPM, CD36 and caveolin1. The bile acid-phospholipid conjugate UDCA-LPE inhibits fatty acid influx by interference with iPLA2β. Aim: Evaluation of the metabolic consequences of iPLA2β inhibition by UDCA-LPE in HepG2 cells. Methods: In HepG2 cells the bile acid-phospholipid conjugate ursodeoxycholate-lyso…