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Choline is a precursor for phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, acetylcholine and the methyl donor betaine. Thus, choline is important for normal cellular membrane composition and repair, and normal brain function. Acetylcholine is one of the major neurotransmitters and requires choline for its synthesis.
Cytidine nucleotides are involved in phospholipid metabolism in brain. Elevation of cytidine levels stimulates the synthesis of membrane phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in brain cells. The increase of cytidine concentrations may support the improvement of neuronal activity.
Phosphatidylserine within the neuronal membrane is especially important for the activation of the particular kinase-protein kinase C (PKC) that plays a critical role in learning and memory.
Choline is absorbed from the small intestine, and transported to the liver via portal circulation. Choline is transported across the blood-brain barrier by a specific carrier mechanism.
The nucleotide cytidine monophosphate will be hydrolyzed in the body by the enzymes alkaline phosphatase and nucleotidase to the nucleoside cytidine.
Little is known of the pharmacokinetics of oral phosphatidylserine in humans. In animal studies (rats), it appears that there is extensive digestion of phosphatidylserine in the small intestine, producing, among other things, lysophosphatidylserine, a substance that contains only one fatty acid, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Following absorption, lysophosphatidylserine is metabolized in intestinal mucosa cells, and its metabolites, which include some phosphatidylserine, enter the lymphatics draining the small intestine. The amount that reaches the brain after oral administration, is very small. Most of the behavioral and neurochemical effects noted in animal studies have been observed only after repeated oral phosphatidylserine dosing.
