The prerequisites for local lysolecithin formation in the human gallbladder

Human gallbladder epithelium was disintegrated to complete loss of microscopic structure. The material obtained - an extract - was incubated at 37 degrees C together with a mixture of lecithin and lysolecithin, phospholipids known to be present in bile. During such incubation a change in the phospholipid composition occurred, indicating that lecithin was converted to lysolechitin. This conversion increased in the presence of CaCl2. Heating the disintegrated epithelium (70 degrees C for 10 min at pH 4) considerably increased the phospholipid conversion. The results are consistent with the presence of phospholipase A activity in human gallbladder epithelium. The possible significance of this activity is discussed in view of the inflammation-mediating activity of lysolecithin in the gallbladder epithelium.