Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by lysolecithin

Exogenous lysolecithin inhibits prostaglandin E₂ synthesis from arachidonic acid in bovine seminal vesicle microsomes at plausible physiological levels (lysolecithin-to-protein ratios ? 0.03 [w/w]) by inhibiting fatty acid cyclo-oxygenase activity. Structurally defined lysolecithins with varying fatty acid chain length exhibit varying effectiveness as inhibitors. Addition of equimolar quantities of free fatty acid lowers the lysolecithin concetration required for inhibition. Exogenous lysolecithin inhibits unstimulated and thrombin-stimulated prostaglandin E₂ synthesis from endogenous substrate in SVBalb/3T3 cells. Serum treatment of SVBalb/3T3 cells, which generates endogenous lysolecithin and free fatty acids, decreases the efficiency of conversion of free arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. These results suggest a possible role for the products of phospholipase A2 action in the regulation of prostaglandin synthesis.