Abstract

Phospholipids are a group of complex lipids, which can be used in cancer chemoprevention. Glicerophospholipids are composed of fatty acids esterified to a glycerol backbone, a phosphate group and a hydrophilic residue such as: cho- line, ethanoloamine, serine or inositol. In the sn-2 position of glicerophospholipid usually there are unsaturated fatty acids, i.e. linolenic acid, while in the sn-1 position more typi- cal are saturated fatty acids, i.e. palmitic acid. The second group of phospholipids are sphigophospholipids, in which amino-alcohol is build in instead of glycerol. For these two groups of phospholipids have been described preventive activities of carcinogenic processes. Fatty acids from n-3 family, such as eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic ac- ids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties are better transported within human body as glicerophospholipids than as free fatty acids. Phospholipids probably have also inhibitory effect on metastasis of tumor cells. This fact is related to the construction of the cancer cell membrane where lipid rafts occur in high concentration. Cancer pa- tients often take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease pain. Phospholipids can reduce negative impact of these drugs preventing gastrointestinal side effects. Health-promoting phospholipids can be found in some foodstuffs. High content of these lipids occurs in marine products, egg yolk, soybean products or milk. Phospholipids are now widely marketed in the form of dietary supplements. Because of the still unrecognized mechanism of action, as well as low toxicity and widespread occurrence in food, chemopreventive potential of phospholipids deserve more detailed investigations.

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