Content of total
lipids,
phospholipids and total
protein was decreased in rat brain synaptic membranes during
autolysis within 1 h and 24 hrs at 37 degrees in the medium used for isolation of the membranes. Within early steps of
autolysis (1 h), total
lipids and
phospholipids were only slightly altered, while a decrease in the concentrations of
phosphatidyl cholines, phosphatidyl
ethanolamines and
cholesterol was found simultaneously increased in relation to the content of
lysophospholipids, phosphatidyl serines+sphingomyelins,
cholesterol esters,
triacylglycerols and
free fatty acids. Within later periods of
autolysis (24 hrs) the further dissimilar decrease was observed in relative content of
phosphatidyl cholines, phosphatidyl
ethanolamines, phosphatidyl serines+sphingomyelins with synchronous increase in the level of
glycerophosphates,
lysophospholipids, phosphatidic acid+polyglycerophosphatides,
cholesterol esters; occurrence of
diacylglycerols was detected. Possible mechanisms (involving
hydrolase, transacylase reactions) of alterations observed in
lipids from synaptic membranes during
autolysis are discussed. Modern experimental technique appears to be useful in order to gain insight into molecular mechanisms of
brain death and the postmortal loss of information.