Formation of PAF-like compounds by peroxidation of phospholipids from bovine brain

This short review describes the identification by mass spectrometry of phospholipids having an sn-2-short-chain monocarboxylate, dicarboxylate or omega-hydroxycarboxylate group in a fraction with PAF-like activity from a bovine brain lipid extract. The similar molecular heterogeneities of these unique phospholipids suggest that they are formed via a common mechanism, possibly peroxidation of membrane phosphatidylcholines. This possibility is supported by the finding that these PAF-like compounds were actually formed during peroxidation of synthetic phosphatidylcholines induced by Fe2+/ascorbate/EDTA.