Plasma concentrations of lysolecithin and other phospholipids in the healthy population and in men suffering from atherosclerotic diseases.

The concentrations of individual phospholipids and of cholesterol have been determined in plasma samples taken from 77 apparently healthy individuals, and from 76 male patients presenting with atherosclerotic diseases. Significant differences in the relative and absolute concentrations of lysolecithin were found between different populations. In healthy individuals the plasma levels of lysolecithin were lower in women than in men and lower in the younger age groups studied. The relative and absolute concentrations of plasma lysolecithin were lower in men suffering from chronic ischaemic heart disease and peripheral arterial disease when compared with age-matched healthy male subjects. The lowest levels of plasma lysolecthin were, however, associated with patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction or acute myocardial ischaemia studied within 48 hr of the onset of chest pain. In a further study, significantly decreased relative concentrations of lysolecithin were found in blood platelets and erythrocytes as well as in plasma of patients suffering from chronic ischaemic heart disease. The results are discussed in terms of a possible thrombo-protective role for plasma lysolecithin in man.