Glycerophospholipid metabolism in neuronal and glial cell-enriched fractions.

The metabolism of phospholipids in separated glial and neuronal cells has been reviewed in this paper. Lipids are more abundant in glia; on the other hand, in vivo experiments performed with labeled precursors have indicated that lipid turnover is faster in neurons (with the possible exception of oligodendroglia). Biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes of lipid metabolism have been studied in separated cells (mainly in neurons and astroglia) and have been shown to be almost always more active in neurons. Also base exchange is probably more active in these cells. Therefore the results of in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that neurons are more active than astroglia in metabolizing glycerophospholipids.