[Metabolism of neuronal and neuroglial phospholipids in seizures]

Metabolism of individual phospholipids was studied in neurones and neuroglia under conditions of convulsions caused by picrotoxin administration. Metabolic activity of all the phospholipids studied was increased in neuronal membranes under extreme conditions of convulsive attacks. The rate of metabolism of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin was increased 2-2.5-fold approximately. The most distinct alterations of metabolic activity were observed in the fraction of minor phospholipids: specific radioactivity of phosphatidylserine was increased 10-fold and phosphatidylinositol--16-fold. Metabolism of phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine was elevated more than 15-fold. Convulsions exhibited the most distinct effect on metabolism of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine in neuroglia cells. As distinct from neurones, metabolism of phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin was not markedly altered in neuroglia. Similar metabolism and universal cell response, carried out via phospholipids, appear to occur in the system neurone-neuroglia.