Serum phospholipase A2 and lysolecithin changes following myocardial infarction

Abstract We have examined changes in the activities of phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) and the concentrations of total choline-phospholipids and lysolecithin, in serum from patients following a myocardial infarction by comparison with patients suffering from unstable angina. A significant increase in PLA 2 activity was found after myocardial infarction. The peak increase occurred approximately 36 h after infarction. No significant PLA 2 change was found in the patients with unstable angina. Concentrations of lysolecithin, the major metabolite of PLA 2 activity, were high in the admission samples from the infarction patients, followed by an overall fall during the first 24 h: the concentrations in the patients with angina were normal. PLA 2 and lysolecithin changes post-infarction showed they were involved in processes not occurring in angina.