Effect of cetirizine on plasma membrane of human eosinophils, neutrophils and platelets: a dose response study

Abstract

The effect of different concentrations of cetirizine (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 ug/ml) on plasma membrane fluidity and heterogeneity of human eosinophils, neutrophils and platelets were investigated using a fluorescence technique. Membrane fluidity and heterogeneity were studied by measuring the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy and fluorescence decay of 1-(4-trimethylammonium-phenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) incorporated in the membrane. Our results demonstrate that cetirizine induced a significant increase in the lipid order in the exterior part of the membrane and a decrease in membrane heterogeneity of eosinophils at concentrations of 0.7 ug/ml and higher and that at a concentration of 0.9 ug/ml it does likewise in neutrophils and platelets. Moreover, cetirizine abolished the PAF induced changes in membrane fluidity in these cells. These data suggest that cetirizine interacts with the plasma membrane of eosinophils, neutrophils and platelets inducing functional changes.