Glycerophosphoric Acid

GLYCEROPHOSPHORIC ACID, Acidum glycerino-phosphoricum C₃H₇O₃.PO.(OH)₂, is formed by mixing and heating glycerin with phosphoric acid. It can also be obtained from the breakdown of lecithin and other phosphatides. It is a dibasic acid; its barium and calcium salts are more soluble in cold water than in hot water; it rotates the plane of polarization to the left. It is hydrolyzed by acids and the enzyme glycerophosphatase into glycerin and phosphoric acid (in the body this process occurs in the kidneys, with the phosphoric acid being excreted in the urine as phosphates). G.-f. k. is formed in the intestines during the digestion of phosphatides and may be absorbed in part in an unsplit form. Where in the body G.-f. k. is formed from phosphatides is still unknown; some authors assume that erythrocytes participate in this process; certain organic esters of phosphoric acid arising in intermediate carbohydrate metabolism can serve as sources of G.-f. k. formation. G.-f. k. finds therapeutic application as a tonic and strengthener for fatigue, nervous exhaustion, neurasthenia, etc. The preferred prescription: a mixture of equal amounts of sodium, calcium, and iron glycerophosphates.