Plasmalogen content and distribution in the sarcolemma of cultured neonatal rat myocytes.

Phospholipids are believed to play an important role in pathology and physiology of the myocardium. Because of the distinct physico-chemical properties of plasmalogens we studied the plasmalogen content and distribution in the sarcolemma of cultured rat myocytes. Treatment with phospholipase A2 degraded all glycerophospholipids in the outer monolayer. The hydrolysis products were analyzed for plasmalogen content. It is shown that the inner sarcolemmal leaflet is highly enriched in phosphatidylcholine and ethanolamine plasmalogen. This distribution of the plasmalogens might affect bilayer stability and thereby be involved in the destruction of the sarcolemma upon ischemia and reperfusion.