[Changes in lipid components of the rat brain gray matter caused Ca(2+) ions in postmortem autolysis in vitro]

The influence of exogenous ions Ca2+ on the autholytic alterations of lipids in the brain grey matter of rats was investigated during incubation in a sterile physiological solution in vitro. The level of phospholipids decreased with parallel accumulation of diacylglycerols and free fatty acids. The contents of cholesterol and its esters varied in reciprocal oscillatory mode with prevalence of the disintegration of cholesterol esters started after 4 hrs of autholysis and further. The most probable degradation reactions of phospholipids and also cholesterol esters were the hydrolytic reactions. Transacylation reactions of between phospholipids, cholesterol and its esters were also possible. The presence of exogenous Ca2+ ions in the incubation medium promoted decrease of the total lipid grey matter. This effect was noted 10 min after onset of autolysis and continued up to 24 h. The reduction of lipid concentration occurred due to the decrease of phospholipid level and to a lesser extent--to the cholesterol level.