| abstract |
Compounds of formula (I), wherein one and only one of R?1 and R3¿ is a straight-chain or branched-chain φ- or (φ-1)-hydroxyalkyl (5-8C), or is an (φ-1)-oxoalkyl (5-8C) or is an (φ, φ-1) or (φ- 1, φ-2) -dihydroxyalkyl (5-8C), or is an alkenyl substituent (5-8C), and the other is alkyl (1-12C) optionally containing one or two non-adjacent oxygen atoms in place of C, and wherein R2 is alkyl (1-12C) optionally containing one or two non-adjacent oxygen atoms in place of C, are useful in modulating the effects of internal and external stimuli on cells by reversing the effects of these stimuli on the short-term secondary messenger pathways. In particular, the compounds of Formula (I), lower elevated levels of unsaturated, non-arachidonate phosphatidic acid (PA) and diacylglycerol (DAG) derived from said PA within seconds of the primary stimulus and their contact with said cells. The modulatory effect depends on the nature of the target cell and the stimulus applied. |