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PubMed1991

Relationship between membrane fluidity and adrenoceptor binding in depression.

Membrane fluidity and adrenergic receptor binding were studied in platelets of depressed patients before and during treatment with desmethylimipramine to investigate the relationship between the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor and its membrane environment in depression. Most samples came from a previous study in which we observed higher 3H-para-aminoclonidine (3H-PAC) binding in platelets from depressed patients compared to healthy subjects. Fluidity was measured by steady state diphenylhexatriene (DPH) anisotropy in both purified plasma membranes and in intracellular membrane preparations from platelets. No differences were observed in DPH membrane fluidity, per se, indicating that fluidity changes probably do not underlie either the increased alpha 2-adrenergic receptor binding in depression or the normalization of binding during treatment. However, lower intracellular membrane fluidity was correlated with higher binding to 3H-PAC site-1 in healthy subjects, but not in depressed patients. Thus, during depression there may be a disruption in the normal relationship between the adrenergic receptor and its membrane environment.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed1995

Electron spin resonance studies of fatty acid-induced alterations in membrane fluidity in cultured endothelial cells.

Endothelial cell dysfunction has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. Of vital importance to the maintenance of endothelial cell integrity is the preservation of membrane functional and structural properties, such as membrane fluidity. The aim of this study was to develop a model for studying the relationship between endothelial cell integrity and membrane fluidity alterations in a well-defined cell culture setting. Alterations in membrane fluidity were assessed using electron spin resonance after labeling endothelial cells with the lipid-specific spin labels, CAT-16 and 12-nitroxide stearic acid. Endothelial cells were exposed to various 18-carbon fatty acids, i.e. stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), or linolenic (18:3), in addition to lipolyzed HDL (L-HDL) and benzyl alcohol. Membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition of endothelial cells supplemented with these fatty acids was analyzed using gas chromatography. All fatty acids, except 18:0, decreased membrane fluidity. A relationship between membrane fluidity and fatty acid compositional alterations in cellular phospholipids was observed. In particular, the arachidonic acid content decreased following exposure to 18:1, 18:2, or 18:3. Exposure of endothelial cells to L-HDL, lipoprotein particles which contain high levels of 18:1 and 18:2, also decreased membrane fluidity. The stabilization of cytoskeletal actin filaments by phalloidin partially prevented 18:2-induced increases in albumin transfer, thus implicating a cytoskeletal involvement in the 18:2-induced membrane fluidity changes involved in endothelial cell dysfunction. The present study shows that the exposure of endothelial cells to various lipids causes membrane fluidity alterations which may contribute to endothelial cell dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Erythrocyte membrane abnormality of essential hypertension with special reference to membrane fluidity and Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity].

UNLABELLED: To clarify the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (EHT), the biophysical property (fluidity) and Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity of the erythrocyte membrane were pursued. Seventeen patients with EHT, 14 normotensives (NT) with familial history of hypertension and 25 healthy controls (CONTROL) without familial history of hypertension were subjected in this study. Electron spin resonance (ESR) method using 5- or 16-stearic acid label (SAL) was used to measure the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes. Since little changes in the Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity may be expected, the bioluminescence method was adopted to measure the enzyme activity. By evaluation of several measuring conditions for the enzyme activity, the method was revealed to be highly sensitive and reproducible, as has been reported by Lechi. A significant decrease was found in the erythrocyte membrane fluidity of EHT patients using 16-SAL with the parameter of peak height ratio (ho/h-1), when compared with that of CONTROL (EHT: 5.31 +/- 0.13; CONTROL: 5.20 +/- 0.11, p less than 0.05). The decrease of erythrocyte membrane fluidity, values of peak height ratio using 16-SAL, correlated significantly with the systolic blood pressure (r = 0.36 p less than 0.05) and diastolic pressure (r = 0.34 p less than 0.05). The values of peak height ratio of NT (5.26 +/- 0.17) were found in between those of EHT and CONTROL. The levels of erythrocyte membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity in EHT showed higher than those of CONTROL, but the difference was not significant. They did not correlate with the membrane fluidity and the blood pressure. The artificial modifications of membrane cholesterol contents of erythrocytes made the same directional changes in both the membrane fluidity and the enzyme activity. The results showed that the abnormality of biophysical property existed in the deeper portion of the erythrocyte membrane and indicated the possibility of hereditary perpetuation of EHT. As to changes in Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity, no definite contributory relation to EHT has been identified.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Cytoplasmic calcium levels and membrane fluidity of platelets in contact with polyether-polyamide multiblock-copolymer surfaces.

Cytoplasmic calcium levels and the membrane fluidity of rabbit platelets stored in mini blood bags of crystalline-amorphous microstructured polymers (polyether-polyamide multiblock-copolymers) were studied. Fluorescent dye (Fura 2 or 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene)-loaded platelet suspensions were stored at 37 degrees C for 1 h in the blood bags, and metabolic changes in the platelets during storage were evaluated by the fluorescent spectroscopic technique. The surfaces of poly(vinyl chloride) and polyolefin elastomers, which are used for commercially available blood bags, enhanced the progress of platelet metabolism; i.e., there was a dramatic decrease in membrane fluidity and an increase in [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, the decrease in membrane fluidity was observed prior to the increase in [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that the decrease in membrane fluidity of platelets in contact with polymer surfaces can be the dominant stage in the activation of these platelets. In contrast, the surfaces of polyether-polyamide multiblock-copolymers exhibited few changes in either membrane fluidity or [Ca2+]i levels. These results suggest that the platelets in contact with the crystalline-amorphous microstructured copolymer surfaces can be inert and inactivated in terms of the prevention of a decrease in membrane fluidity.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Role of insulin in the regulation of membrane fluidity of erythrocytes in essential hypertension: an electron paramagnetic resonance investigation.

In the present study, to determine a possible role of insulin in the regulation of membrane functions, we have examined the effects of insulin on the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes in patients with essential hypertension and normotensive subjects. Membrane fluidity of erythrocytes obtained from hypertensive and normotensive subjects were evaluated by means of an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and a spin-labeling method. In an in vitro study, insulin increased the order parameter (S for 5-nitroxide stearate) and the peak height ratio (ho/h-1 for 16 nitroxide stearate) in the EPR spectra of erythrocyte membranes, which indicated that insulin decreased the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes. The effects of insulin on the membrane fluidity were potentiated in the presence of extracellular Ca2+, and in contrast, were antagonized by the Ca2+ channel blocker diltiazem. Furthermore, the effects of insulin alone and in combination with Ca2+ on the membrane fluidity were reduced in the erythrocytes from hypertensive subjects compared with the erythrocytes from normotensive controls. The high concentrations of glucose alone produced no significant effects on the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes. These results demonstrated that insulin might actively participate in the regulation of membrane fluidity of erythrocytes, which might be mediated by the intracellular Ca2+ kinetics.

Calcium↗

PubMed1990

Evidence for a relationship between protein glycation and red blood cell membrane fluidity.

This study examines the relationship between protein glycation and membrane fluidity in RBC membranes. Incubation of RBC membranes of healthy subjects with 25mM glucose or galactose at 37 degrees C induced a 38% (p less than 0.02) increase in protein glycation (using furosine determination by HPLC) and higher fluidity (p less than 0.05) in DPH polarization ratio). However, incubation of RBC membranes from diabetic subjects under the same conditions did not modify either membrane fluidity or protein glycation; protein glycation was above normal before incubation because of the high diabetic plasma glucose. There was no difference in the membrane fluidities of 21 healthy subjects and 32 diabetic subjects, despite a significantly elevated protein glycation in diabetics. Furthermore, there was no change with respect to age in either population. We conclude that other in vivo factors, such as membrane lipid changes (increase in CL/PL ratio) or formation of advanced Maillard products and peroxidation in the diabetic subjects, could be responsible for the difference between these in vitro results and the in vivo situation.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Erythrocyte membrane fluidity decreased in uremic hemodialyzed patients.

Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was studied by means of electron spin resonance in 15 uremic, hemodialyzed patients and 14 normal subjects. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity determined using a 16-nitroxide stearic acid spin label probe was of a significantly lower level in the uremic patients, when compared with normal control subjects. Alterations in molar ratios of membrane free cholesterol to phospholipid are probably not a principal factor contributing to this change in fluidity. Significant decreases of phosphatidylcholine and molar ratios of phosphatidylcholine to sphingomyelin were noted in the erythrocyte membrane of uremic patients, and these alterations may relate to the fluidity change.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Type II diabetics with macrovascular complications: polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) filtration, PMN membrane fluidity and cytosolic Ca2+ content after activation.

We evaluated polymorphonuclear (PMN) filtration parameters, membrane fluidity and cytosolic Ca2+ content in 21 normal subjects and in 18 type II diabetics with macrovascular complications (MVC). Evaluations were carried out at baseline and after in vitro activation prolonged for 5 and 15 min. PMA (4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and fMLP (N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine) were used as stimulating agents. TMA-DPH (1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene) was used as fluorescent probe for the membrane fluidity tests and Fura 2-AM for the cytosolic Ca2+ content. A significant variation was evident in PMN filtration parameters at 5 and 15 min. No variation was present in PMN membrane fluidity and cytosolic Ca2+ content in normals. In type II diabetics with MVC, we found an increase solely in PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content after PMA activation and an early decrease in PMN membrane fluidity and a late increase in PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content after fMLP activation. After PMA activation alone (at 15 min), PMN filtration distinguishes normals from type II diabetics with MVC. The PMN filtration parameters behave similarly in the two groups, but PMN membrane fluidity and cytosolic Ca2+ content behave differently.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

[Changes in lymphocyte membrane fluidity after burn and its significance].

In the present experiment, the change in lymphocyte membrane fluidity after burn was observed by measurement of fluorescent depolarization with DPH as a probe. 11%-12% TBSA of full-thickness skin burn was made in Balb/c mice. Six days later the animals were killed and their spleen were obtained. Then membrane fluidity and IL-2 production of splenic lymphocytes were measured, and lipid peroxide level of the spleen was assayed. The results showed that the fluidity decreased significantly with suppression of lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production, and that the lipid peroxide level increased. There was a negative correlation between the decrease in membrane fluidity and the suppression of lymphocyte functions. The same correlation also existed between the changes in membrane fluidity and the lipid peroxide level. The data indicated that the decreased membrane fluidity might be one of the causes for lymphocyte dysfunction and related to the enhancement of lipid peroxidation after burn.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Very low osmotic water permeability and membrane fluidity in isolated toad bladder granules.

Osmotic water permeability of the apical membrane of toad urinary epithelium is increased greatly by vasopressin (VP) and is associated with exocytic addition of granules and aggrephores at the apical surface. To determine the physiological role of granule exocytosis, we measured the osmotic water permeability and membrane fluidity of isolated granules, surface membranes and microsomes prepared from toad bladder in the presence and absence of VP. Pf was measured by stopped-flow light scattering and membrane fluidity was examined by diphenylhexatriene (DPH) fluorescence anisotropy. In response to a 75 mM inward sucrose gradient, granule size decreased with a single exponential time constant of 2.3 +/- 0.1 sec (SEM, seven preparations, 23 degrees C), corresponding to a Pf of 5 x 10(-4) cm/sec; the activation energy (Ea) for Pf was 17.6 +/- 0.8 kcal/mole. Under the same conditions, the volume of surface membrane vesicles decreased biexponentially with time constants of 0.13 and 1.9 sec; the fast component comprised approximately 70% of the signal. Granule, surface membrane and microsome time constants were unaffected by VP. However, in surface membranes, there was a small decrease (6 +/- 2%) in the fraction of surface membranes with fast time constant. DPH anisotropies were 0.253 (granules), 0.224 (surface membranes) and 0.190 (microsomes), and were unaffected by VP. We conclude: (1) granules have among the lowest water permeabilities of biological membranes, (2) granule water permeability is not altered by bladder pretreatment with VP, (3) granule membrane fluidity is remarkably lower than that of surface and microsomal membranes, and (4) rapid water transport occurs in surface membrane vesicles. The unique physical properties of the granule suggests that apical exocytic addition of granule membrane may be responsible for the low water permeability of the unstimulated apical membrane.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The effect of osmotic pressure on the membrane fluidity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at different physiological temperatures.

Membrane fluidity in whole cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303-1A was estimated from fluorescence polarization measurements using the membrane probe, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, over a wide range of temperatures (6-35 degrees C) and at seven levels of osmotic pressure between 1.38 MPa and 133.1 MPa. An increase in phase transition temperatures was observed with increasing osmotic pressure. At 1.38 MPa, a phase transition temperature of 12 +/- 2 degrees C was observed, which increased to 17 +/- 4 degrees C at 43.7 MPa, 21+/- 7 degrees C at 61.8 MPa, and 24 +/- 9 degrees C at an osmotic pressure of 133.1 MPa. From these results we infer that, with increases in osmotic pressure, the change in phospholipid conformation occurs over a larger temperature range. These results allow the representation of membrane fluidity as a function of temperature and osmotic pressure. Osmotic shocks were applied at two levels of osmotic pressure and at nine temperatures, in order to relate membrane conformation to cell viability.

Membrane Fluidity↗

PubMed1992

Changes in membrane fluidity during human liver development.

The physico-chemical properties of the hepatic plasma membrane during prenatal period of development and in adult human liver were studied. Fluorescence polarization studies using the lipid probe pyrene, clearly demonstrated a significant reduction in the membrane fluidity with liver maturation. Lipid analysis showed an age dependent reduction in lipid/protein ratio while there was an increase in membrane cholesterol throughout the prenatal period and in adult human liver which decreased the membrane fluidity. Hepatic plasma membrane from prenatal liver also showed a decrease in phosphatidyl choline/phosphatidyl ethanolamine ratio and an increase in sphingomyelin/phosphatidyl choline ratio. These results suggest that there is a gradual decrease in lipid content and membrane fluidity during the prenatal period of development which might regulate the differentiation of membrane associated function in human liver.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The effect of Pycnogenol on the erythrocyte membrane fluidity.

In the present study, the in vitro effect of polyphenol rich plant extract, flavonoid--Pycnogenol (Pyc), on erythrocyte membrane fluidity was studied. Membrane fluidity was determined using 1-[4-trimethyl-aminophenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH), 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and 12-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid (12-AS) fluorescence anisotropy. After Pyc action (50 microg/ml to 300 microg/ml), we observed decreases in the anisotropy values of TMA-DPH and DPH in a dose-dependent manner compared with the untreated erythrocyte membranes. Pyc significantly increased the membrane fluidity predominantly at the membrane surface. Further, we observed the protective effect of Pyc against lipid peroxidation, TBARP generation and oxidative hemolysis induced by H2O2. Pyc can reduce the lipid peroxidation and oxidative hemolysis either by quenching free radicals or by chelating metal ions, or by both. The exact mechanism(s) of the positive effect of Pyc is not known. We assume that Pyc efficacy to modify effectively some membrane dependent processes is related not only to the chemical action of Pyc but also to its ability to interact directly with cell membranes and/or penetrate the membrane thus inducing modification of the lipid bilayer and lipid-protein interactions.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2005

Cell membrane fluidity related to electroporation and resealing.

In this paper, we report the results of a systematic attempt to relate the intrinsic plasma membrane fluidity of three different cell lines to their electroporation behaviour, which consists of reversible and irreversible electroporation. Apart from electroporation behaviour of given cell lines the time course required for membrane resealing was determined in order to distinguish the effect of resealing time from the cell's ability to survive given electric pulse parameters. Reversible, irreversible electroporation and membrane resealing were then related to cell membrane fluidity as determined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and computer characterization of membrane domains. We found that cell membrane fluidity does not have significant effect on reversible electroporation although there is a tendency for the voltage required for reversible electroporation to increase with increased membrane fluidity. Cell membrane fluidity, however, may affect irreversible electroporation. Nevertheless, this effect, if present, is masked with different time courses of membrane resealing found for the different cell lines studied. The time course of cell membrane resealing itself could be related to the cell's ability to survive.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Is the vertical disposition of Mycoplasma membrane proteins affected by membrane fluidity?

The influence of the physical state of the membrane lipid matrix on the vertical disposition of membrane proteins was studied with Acholeplasma laidlawii. Changes in membrane fluidity were brought about by altering the fatty acid composition of membrane lipids, by changing the growth temperature, by aging of cultures and by inducing changes in the membrane lipid-to-protein ratio through treatment with chloramphenicol. The lactoperoxidase-mediated iodination technique was used to label membrane proteins exposed to the aqueous surroundings. The degree of exposure of the iodine-binding sites of membrane proteins on the external surface of intact cells was found to undergo significant changes on varying growth conditions, but the changes could not be consistently correlated with changes in membrane fluidity, nor were they discernible on iodination of isolated membranes.

Acetates↗

PubMed1992

Studies on monoclonal anti-isotypic and anti-idiotypic antibodies against leukemia and myeloma: IV. Modulation of membrane fluidity of leukemic cell lines and tonsillar cell stimulated with McAbs.

In this study the technique of labelling the cell membrane with DPH fluorescence polarization was used to observe the membrane fluidity of B lymphocytic cell lines and tonsillar cells from healthy persons; the modulation effect on membrane fluidity induced by McAbs against isotypic and idiotypic determinants of IgM from patients with leukemia was studied as well. The expression of the corresponding isotypic and idiotypic determinants of IgM on the cell membrane was determined. The results show that the membrane fluidity of leukemic cell lines is remarkably higher than that of tonsillar cells from healthy persons, and McAbs against isotypic determinants of leukemic IgM can enhance the membrane fluidity of all kinds of cells mentioned above. However, the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody increased only the membrane fluidity of leukemic cell lines. These results indicated that there was a close relationship between the effect of McAbs on cell membrane fluidity and the expression of corresponding isotypic and idiotypic determinants of IgM on the cell membrane.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

PubMed2001

Erythrocyte membrane fluidity changes in psoriasis: an EPR study.

The aim of the study was to find the cause of membrane fluidity decrease in psoriasis, observed by other authors, in different types of cells and its clinical consequences. To this end, we have examined the influence of different clinical and biochemical factors on erythrocyte membrane fluidity changes in psoriatic patients. Membrane fluidity was studied by the electron paramagnetic resonance spin-labeling method. The data revealed that the decrease of membrane fluidity corresponded with exacerbation of skin lesions. The results clearly indicate that the increased lipid peroxidation may be the essential mechanism of membrane fluidity decrease in psoriasis.

Catalase↗

PubMed2000

Amphotericin B resistance and membrane fluidity in Kluyveromyces lactis strains.

The membrane fluidity of reduced-amphotericin B (AmB)-sensitivity Kluyveromyces lactis mutant strain is higher than that of the wild-type K. lactis strain. After culture of the K. lactis and K. lactis mutant cells in the presence of subinhibitory doses of AmB (10 and 125 mg/liter, respectively), the plasma membranes of both yeast strains also showed a higher fluidity than did those of control cells. High membrane fluidity was associated with changes in the structural properties of the membranes. Culture of the K. lactis and K. lactis mutant cells in the presence of AmB induced changes in membrane lipid contents. In particular, phospholipid contents were increased in both strains treated with AmB, compared with their corresponding counterparts. As a result, the sterol/phospholipid ratio decreased. The relative proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids also increased after AmB treatment. The saturated fatty acid/monounsaturated fatty acid ratio decreased in K. lactis and K. lactis mutant cells treated with AmB but also in K. lactis mutant control cells compared to that in the K. lactis wild strain. These changes in lipid composition explain the higher fluidity, which could represent a process of metabolic resistance of the yeasts to AmB.

Amphotericin B↗