Abstract
SUMMARY 1 The purpose of the present study was to assess the possible link between plasma homocysteine and membrane fluidity in normotensive and hypertensive men. 2 The membrane fluidity (a reciprocal value of membrane microviscosity) of red blood cells (RBC) was measured using an electron paramagnetic resonance and spin-labelling method. The membrane fluidity of RBC was decreased in hypertensive compared with normotensive men. 3 Total plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in hypertensive men than normotensive men. In contrast, plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites were significantly lower in hypertensive men than in normotensive men. The decreased membrane fluidity of RBC was associated with hyperhomocysteinaemia and reduced plasma levels of NO metabolites. 4 The results of the present study suggest that hyperhomocysteinaemia may have a role in modulating the rheological behaviour of RBC and microcirculation in men by, at least in part, reducing NO bioavailability.
Published Version
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