Phosphatidylcholine

Related Terms

EPL, essential phospholipids, Essentiale?, lecithin, Lipostabil?, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidylcholine, polyenyl-phosphatidyl choline, polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline, PPC, Sterpur P-30 Granulat.

Background

Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant of the phospholipids, a class of specialized fat molecules, in plant and animal cells. Phosphatidylcholine is a key building block of cell membranes (the lining around each cell). It is also a precursor of acetylcholine, a compound required for normal brain activity.
Although phosphatidylcholine is present in almost all cells in the body, the highest concentrations may be found in the brain, heart, liver, and kidney. Liver, egg yolk, and peanuts are rich sources of dietary phosphatidylcholine.
For human health, phosphatidylcholine is most commonly used to treat liver conditions. There is some evidence of benefit in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and drug-induced high blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Injectable phosphatidylcholine has been used as an alternative to liposuction to break down localized fat deposits.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Preliminary research suggests that phosphatidylcholine injections may aid in the reduction of localized fat deposits. Further research is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that phosphatidylcholine injections may aid in the reduction of localized fat deposits. Further research is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that phosphatidylcholine may be useful in the treatment of hepatic (liver) failure. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that phosphatidylcholine may be useful in the treatment of hepatic (liver) failure. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that phosphatidylcholine, in combination with interferon, may be useful in the treatment of some forms of chronic hepatitis. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that phosphatidylcholine, in combination with interferon, may be useful in the treatment of some forms of chronic hepatitis. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that phosphatidylcholine may reduce clofibrate-induced increases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that phosphatidylcholine may reduce clofibrate-induced increases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Phosphatidylcholine is found on the inner lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and plays a key role in defense. Research suggests that increasing the level of phosphatidylcholine in the GI tract may improve the defense system and decrease inflammatory activity in ulcerative colitis. Additional research is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Phosphatidylcholine is found on the inner lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and plays a key role in defense. Research suggests that increasing the level of phosphatidylcholine in the GI tract may improve the defense system and decrease inflammatory activity in ulcerative colitis. Additional research is required before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
For body fat reduction (removal of localized fat deposits), 0.4 milliliters of phosphatidylcholine (50 milligrams per milliliter, American Lecithin Company, Oxford, CT) has been injected into the fat deposit every two weeks, for 3-5 total injections; and 0.4 milliliters of phosphatidylcholine (50 milligrams per milliliter) has been injected every 15 days for a total of 1-5 injections. For localized fat deposits, 0.2 milliliters of phosphatidylcholine (250 milligrams per milliliter) has been injected under the skin at each deposit, with up to 10 milliliters per session, for 1-5 treatment sessions, with an average of 15 days between sessions.
For chronic hepatitis, 1.8 grams of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine has been taken by mouth in three divided doses daily (in addition to subcutaneous interferon) for 24 months. Six grams of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine has been taken by mouth daily for 24 months. For acute viral hepatitis, 300 milligrams (Essentiale?, Natterman International GmbH, Germany) has been taken by mouth three times daily for 12 weeks. For HBsAG-negative chronic active hepatitis, three grams of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (brand not specified) has been taken by mouth daily for one year.
For drug-induced hyperlipoproteinemia (clofibrate-induced increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL, "bad") cholesterol), 1.8 grams of polyenyl phosphatidylcholine has been taken by mouth daily for 28 days.
For liver disease or failure, 350 milligrams of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (brand not specified) has been taken by mouth three times daily for 6-8 weeks.
For chronic active ulcerative colitis, 1.5 grams of phosphatidylcholine-rich phospholipids (Sterpur P-30 Granulat; Stern Lecithin and Soja GmbH, Germany) have been taken by mouth four times daily, after meals and before bed, for three months.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Phosphatidylcholine may interact with agents that affect the immune system, agents that affect the liver, cholesterol- and lipid-lowering agents, or gastrointestinal agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Guan R, Ho KY, Kang JY, et al. The effect of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1995;9(6):699-703.
Hexsel D, Serra M, Mazzuco R, et al. Phosphatidylcholine in the treatment of localized fat. J Drugs Dermatol 2003;2(5):511-518.
Holecek M, Mraz J, Koldova P, et al. Effect of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine on liver regeneration onset after hepatectomy in the rat. Arzneimittelforschung 1992;42(3):337-339.
Jenkins PJ, Portmann BP, Eddleston AL, et al. Use of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in HBsAg negative chronic active hepatitis: results of prospective double-blind controlled trial. Liver 1982;2(2):77-81.
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Neuberger J, Hegarty JE, Eddleston AL, et al. Effect of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine on immune mediated hepatocyte damage. Gut 1983;24(8):751-755.
Niederau C, Strohmeyer G, Heintges T, et al. Polyunsaturated phosphatidyl-choline and interferon alpha for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Leich Study Group. Hepatogastroenterology 1998;45(21):797-804.
Panos JM, Palson R, Johnson R, et al. Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine for acute alcoholic hepatitis: a double blind randomized placebo controlled trial. Eur J Gastroenterol 1990;2:351-355.
Rittes PG. The use of phosphatidylcholine for correction of lower lid bulging due to prominent fat pads. Dermatol Surg 2001;27(4):391-392.
Rotunda AM. Injectable treatments for adipose tissue: terminology, mechanism, and tissue interaction. Lasers Surg Med 2009;41(10):714-20.
Schneider J, Muller R, Buberl W, et al. Effect of polyenyl phosphatidyl choline on clofibrate-induced increase in LDL cholesterol. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1979;15(1):15-19.
Singh NK, Prasad RC. A pilot study of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in fulminant and subacute hepatic failure. J Assoc Physicians India 1998;46(6):530-532.
Stremmel W, Merle U, Zahn A, et al. Retarded release phosphatidylcholine benefits patients with chronic active ulcerative colitis. Gut 2005;54(7):966-971.