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Synapses
Published in Nassir H. Sabah, Neuromuscular Fundamentals, 2020
GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), derived from the nonessential amino acid glutamine, is a major neurotransmitter of inhibitory neurons, such as cerebellar Purkinje cells, and inhibitory interneurons in the brain, as well as some inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord. Glycine, a nonessential amino acid that is derived from the nonessential amino acid serine, is the major neurotransmitter of inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord. The amino acids glutamine, glycine, and serine are abundant in living cells and partake in many important cellular functions and structures. The phospholipid phosphatidylserine is a major constituent of cell membranes and the myelin sheath.
Encapsulation Technologies for Modifying Food Performance
Published in Munmaya K. Mishra, Applications of Encapsulation and Controlled Release, 2019
Maria Inês Ré, Maria Helena Andrade Santana, Marcos Akira d’Ávila
Liposomes as a carrier matrix in foods have become an attractive system, because they can be constructed entirely from acceptable edible compounds (food-grade ingredients), such as proteins and carbohydrates. Lecithin is the main natural phospholipid, routinely extracted from nutrients such as egg yolks and soybeans. Additionally, the phospholipids in the liposome matrix are also versatile nutraceuticals for functional foods. The benefits are for the brain, liver, and blood circulation. Phosphatidylcholine is a highly effective nutraceutical for recovery of the liver following toxic or chronic viral damage. It has exceptional emulsifying properties, which the liver draws on to produce the digestive bile fluid. The lung and intestinal lining cells use phosphatidylcholine to make the surfactant coating essential for their gas and fluid exchange functions. Phosphatidylcholine exhibits potentially lifesaving benefits against pharmaceutical and death cap mushroom poisoning, alcohol-damaged liver, and chronic hepatitis B. Phosphatidylserine has established benefits for higher brain functions such as memory, learning and word recall, mood elevation, and action against stress. Phosphatidylserine also has a salutary revitalizing effect on the aging brain and may also be helpful to children with cognitive and mood problems. The fast access of glycerophosphocholines to the human brain and their capacity to sharpen mental performance also make them well suited for drink formulations. The nutraceutical properties of phospholipids are described extensively by Kidd (2002). Therefore, the product value comes from the health benefits of the phospholipids associated with the benefits of the selected nutrient. This combined phospholipid–nutrient approach is suited to producing chewable tablets, confectionery products, cookies, granulates, spreads, bars, and emulsified or purely aqueous-phase beverages.
Liposomal Drug Delivery System and Its Clinically Available Products
Published in Vladimir Torchilin, Handbook of Materials for Nanomedicine, 2020
Upendra Bulbake, Nagavendra Kommineni, Wahid Khan
Phosphatidylserine is a glycerophospholipid. It contains of two fatty acids linked by ester linkage to the glycerol first and second carbons and serine linked by a phosphodiester linkage to the glycerol third carbon. Phosphatidylserine is synthesized by base exchange reactions with phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The net charge on the phosphatidylserine head group is negative because of the negatively charged phosphate group.
Biomimetic materials based on zwitterionic polymers toward human-friendly medical devices
Published in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 2022
For the development of biomimetic polymers, attention has been paid to the polar groups of phospholipid molecules present on the surfaces of cell membranes [28–30]. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the cell membrane structure, including various biomolecules and their functions. The cell membrane basically takes a phospholipid bilayer membrane structure; the polar groups of the phospholipid molecules that form this bilayer membrane are asymmetric [31]. Most phospholipid molecules inside the cell membrane have weakly acidic phosphatidylethanolamine or acidic phosphatidylserine as polar groups. These regulate the ion balance in the cell membrane and are responsible for the transmission of information. In contrast, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, which have a phosphorylcholine group with a neutral charge state, occupy most of the surface in contact with the extracellular aqueous phase. Glycoproteins and membrane proteins are present on the cell membrane surface, accurately capturing signal molecules from the outside and transmitting information into the cell. Currently, the non-specific capture of information molecules on the cell membrane surface causes a significant decrease in cell function and additionally generates an unfavorable biological reaction as a secondary stimulus. The normal outer membrane itself has a structure that suppresses non-specific reactions with biological components, and it is considered that the phosphorylcholine group plays a role at the functional group level [32,33]. Therefore, biomimetic polymers, in which phospholipid molecules are introduced into polymers, have been studied [34–36]. It has been found that the introduction of these polymers to surfaces of medical devices can prevent biological contamination and inhibit the reaction of biological tissues, thus extending the life of medical devices [37–41].