Separation of phospholipid molecular species by high performance liquid chromatography: potentials for use in metabolic studies

Different molecular species of phospholipids exhibit distinctly different patterns of biologic behavior. In this minireview, the utility of HPLC for analysis of molecular species of phospholipids is illustrated in studies in which it has been demonstrated that molecular species are selectively synthesized, selectively transported, and selectively participate in enzymatic reactions. HPLC appears to be more adaptable for routine use than older procedures used to separate phospholipid molecular species. Since the metabolism of intact molecules can be characterized with HPLC, this procedure promises to provide particularly novel information with respect to changes in composition brought about by remodelling reactions during the biologic life of specific phospholipids.