[Catabolic changes in endogenous lipids in rat adrenal glands during autolysis]

Alterations in lipid composition of rat adrenal glands were studied at various periods of autolysis by means of micro-thin layer chromatography. Phospholipids, cholesterol and its esters proved to be the most labile lipid fractions of the tissue. At early period of autolysis (4 hrs) content of total lipids was decreased mainly due to lowering in amount of phospholipids, cholesterol and its esters and only slightly - to lowering in content of free fatty acids. In subsequent necrobiotic degradation of adrenal gland tissue (10 hrs) the increase in content of total lipids was related to the distinct elevation in amount of free fatty acids and glycerides. Mechanisms of the phenomenon observed are discussed.