Phospholipids of Animal and Marine Origin: Structure, Function, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Molecules 
2017
, 
22
, 1964 
20 of 31 
Figure 3.
Structures of bioactive marine phospholipids as elucidated previously by Sioriki et al. and 
Nasopoulou et al. [80,85]. Generally, PC and PE derivatives exhibit the greatest bioactivity in marine 
sources. 
4. Conclusions and Future Perspectives 
This review provides an overview of the existing literature concerning the active components of 
animal and marine PLs. Although PLs are generally considered a minor component of foods, PLs 
have the ability to interact with the cellular membranes, change their compositions and thereby 
influence a vast quantity of signalling and enzymatic processes. Therefore, many studies have 
reported the wide range of health benefits associated with PL consumption, without noticeable side 
effects. The main health effects of PL consumption include decreased absorption of cholesterol, 
increased plasma-HDL levels, better stability against oxidation (in comparison with TAGs) and 
modulation of inflammatory mediators (PAF and ARA); their levels, activities, and metabolism 
towards re-equilibrating the inflammatory-status and acquiring homeostasis, which can lead to 
reduced risk of inflammatory disorders such as atherosclerosis, CVDs, cancer, metabolic syndrome 
and diabetes, and renal disorders. 
The beneficial effects of marine products towards these disorders are well documented. 
Previous perspectives have attributed most of these effects mainly to the pleiotropic activities of 
ω
-3 
PUFAs that are abundant in such sources. However, the results of very recent systemic 
meta-analyses have highlighted the lack of evidence to support the routine use of 
ω
-3 PUFAs 
especially when administered as TAGs or esters, in the primary and secondary prevention of such 
disorders, since the beneficial effect of fish intake is likely to be mediated through the interplay of a 
wide range of nutrients abundant in fish. Thus, this review presents a new perspective, focusing on 
the well documented and promising beneficial effects of marine-PLs towards such inflammatory 
Figure 3.
Structures of bioactive marine phospholipids as elucidated previously by Sioriki et al.
and Nasopoulou et al. [
80
,
85
]. Generally, PC and PE derivatives exhibit the greatest bioactivity in
marine sources.