We have earlier shown through electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of leukocytes that membranes of cells from both Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) mice and humans have abnormally high fluidity. We have extended our studied to erythrocytes. Erythrocytes were labeled with the nitroxide-substituted analogue of stearic acid, 2-(3-carboxypropyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-tridecyl-3-oxazolidinyloxyl, and ESR sp...

The objectives of this study were to determine whether there are differences between black and white individuals with regard to the membrane fluidity of isolated erythrocytes, and/or in the relationships between membrane fluidity, gender and circulating lipids. Fluorescent polarization anisotropy, as an index of membrane fluidity, was determined using the fluorescent probe 1-(4-trimethylammoniu...

There are contradictory results in the literature relating to the effect of tamoxifen on membrane fluidity. The present work investigates the effect of tamoxifen on membrane dynamics to find out whether the concentration of tamoxifen can be one of the factors in this discrepancy. Turbidity (absorbance at 440 nm) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies reveal that tamoxifen causes o...

In this paper we examine the consequences for social mobility patterns of the unprecedented period of economic growth experienced in Ireland over the 1990s and the implications of developments for current theories of social fluidity. Contrary to suggestions that the “Celtic Tiger” experience has been associated with a deepening problem of marginalization we found evidence for a substantial upgr...

In order to research into the cytology mechanism of anti-virus action of total flavone of Scutellaria barbata (TFSB), the effects of TFSB on host cells membrane potential, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and membrane fluidity after parainfluenza virus type1 (PIV-1) infection were studied. The changes of membrane potential which was fluorescent labeled with DiBAC4(3) and its changes were measured by ...

Cholesterol has been well established as a mediator of cell membrane fluidity. By interacting with lipid tails, cholesterol causes the membrane tails to be constrained thereby reducing membrane fluidity, well known as the condensation effect. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), the main ingredient in aspirin, has recently been shown to increase fluidity in lipid bilayers by primarily interacting with l...

Bilayer asymmetry in the apical membrane may be important to the barrier function exhibited by epithelia in the stomach, kidney, and bladder. Previously, we showed that reduced fluidity of a single bilayer leaflet reduced water permeability of the bilayer, and in this study we examine the effect of bilayer asymmetry on permeation of nonelectrolytes, gases, and protons. Bilayer asymmetry was ind...

Many studies have shown that estrogen may exert cardioprotective effects and reduce the risk of hypertension and coronary events. On the other hand, it has been proposed that cell membrane abnormalities play a role in the pathophysiology of hypertension, although it is not clear whether estrogen would influence membrane function in essential hypertension. The present study was performed to inve...