The biochemistry of plasmalogens: II. Hemolytic activity of some plasmalogen derivatives*

Abstract

A series of lysophosphatides was prepared from the plasmalogens phosphatidal choline and phosphatidal ethanolamine, and their hemolytic activity compared with that of α-palmitoyl lysolecithin. The nature of the linkage of the hydrocarbon chain (acyl ester, α,β-unsaturated ether, or alkyl ether) did not appreciably affect lytic activity. Unsaturation in the hydrocarbon chain of lysolecithins decreased hemolytic activity considerably; lysocephalins were significantly different in this respect. Sheep erythrocytes were much more sensitive to differences in lysolecithin structure than human or rabbit erythrocytes.