[Total and fractionized plasma phospholipids in chronic liver diseases]

The literature data relating to the importance of the liver in fat metabolism, and the behaviour of plasma and red cell phospholipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, fatty acids and lipoproteins in acute and chronic liver disease is reviewed. The results of an investigation of the diagnostic and prognostic significance of total and single plasma phospholipid levels in a series of 70 cases (5 chronic aggressive hepatitis, 12 compensated cirrhosis, 41 uncompensated cirrhosis, and 12 controls) are presented. Quantitative assessment by means of thin-layer chromatography showed four features of marked prognostic interest: a) a significant decrease in total phospholipids; b) increased phosphatidyl choline; c) increased phosphatidyl ethanolamine; d) decreased sphingomyelin. In discussing the results, stress is laid on the fact that this method offers a sufficient close evaluation of the clinical picture with respect to both the evolution of cirrogenic liver diseases and the effectiveness of their treatment. It also enables an assessment to be made of liver cell mitochondria function.