Biochem/physiol Actions Lysophosphatidylcholine is a major component of oxidized low density lipoproteins, and has been implicated in various inflammatory

reactions, including atherosclerosis. It is a degradation product of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase A and has cytolytic properties.

The product is used to demyelinate spinal neurons and study the processes underlying remyelination. It activates protein kinase C, p38

MAP kinase, p42 MAP Kinase, and the jun kinase (JNK) pathway, and stimulates transcription of c-jun. Lysophosphatidylcholine accumulates

during cardiac ischemia and may induce arrhythmias by uncoupling gap junction communication, and increase ischemic damage by

enhancing Na+ loading in cardiac myocytes. It also activates TREK1, TREK2 and TRAAK K+ channels.