Diphenylhexatriene Anisotropy Research Articles

Effects of alcohols on fluorescence anisotropies of diphenylhexatriene and its derivatives in bovine blood platelets: relationships of the depth-dependent change in membrane fluidity by alcohols with their effects on platelet aggregation and adenylate cyclase activity

The effects of three short-chain alkyl alcohols on the membrane fluidity of bovine blood platelets were investigated by studies on the fluorescence anisotropies of diphenylhexatriene (DPH), its cationic trimethylammonium derivative (TMA-DPH) and its anionic propionic acid derivative (DPH-PA). These alcohols decreased the fluorescence anisotropy of DPH, which is thought to be located within the hydrophobic core of the membrane, in concentration ranges that inhibited platelet aggregation. On the other hand, they had little or no effects on the fluorescence anisotropy of DPH-PA which is thought to be located in the interfacial region of the lipid bilayer. Likewise, they had little or no effects on the fluorescence anisotropy of TMA-DPH, which is also thought to be located in the interfacial region of the lipid bilayer, either when the probe was located in the outer layer of the plasma membrane or when the probe was located in the inner membrane compartment. These results suggest that alcohols mainly increase the fluidity in the central region of the lipid bilayer. Consistent with their effects on the fluorescence anisotropy of DPH, these alcohols increased the intracellular cyclic AMP concentration. Thus alcohols may inhibit platelet function due to stimulation of adenylate cyclase, which is mediated by perturbation of the central region of the membrane lipid bilayer.

A deuterium NMR and steady-state fluorescence anisotropy study of the effects of cholesterol on the lipid membrane-disordering actions of ethanol

We examined the effects of cholesterol on the membrane-disordering action of ethanol by using deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance ( 2H-NMR) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Specifically, the effects of ethanol were measured on the 2H-NMR spectra of di (perdeuteropalmitoyl)phosphatidylcholine (DPPC-d 62) and on the steady-state emission anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene (DPH) incorporated into hydrated egg phosphatidylcholine (eggPC)/cholesterol dispersions. Analysis of the 2H-NMR spectra of DPPC-d 62 incorporated into eggPC liposomes showed that the addition of cholesterol up to 30 mol% enhanced the ability of ethanol to disorder methylene groups all along the phospholipid acyl chains. This effect was somewhat greater toward the terminal methyl groups. However, above 30 mol% cholesterol, the bilayer-disordering action of ethanol on both the upper and lower portions of the acyl chains decreased to an apparent constant change up to the highest cholesterol content examined (50 mol%). Analysis of the fluorescence anisotropy of DPH, on the other hand, suggested that cholesterol attenuated the ability of ethanol to disorder the bilayers, which is in agreement with a previous EPR study [Chin and Goldstein, Mol Pharmacot 19: 425–431,1981]. Re-analysis of our previous fluorescence anisotropy results with DPH incorporated into dispersions of brain-lipid extracts as a percent change [Johnson et al., Mol Phannacol 15: 739–746, 1979] indicated that the chemical composition of the lipid bilayers also affects the apparent ability of cholesterol to modulate the membrane-disordering action of ethanol, because the addition of cholesterol to brain-lipid extracts had no significant effect on the membrane-disordering action of ethanol. Given the greater likelihood that the 2H-NMR probes accurately monitor bulk phospholipid properties, some caution is required in the analysis of the membrane-disordering actions of drugs using EPR and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Serotonin transport in reconstituted endothelial cell plasma membrane proteoliposomes: effect of hypoxia.

To determine whether changes in the lipid dynamics of the plasma membrane bilayer are responsible for hypoxic stimulation of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) transport in pulmonary artery endothelial cells, we solubilized and isolated phospholipid and protein fractions from plasma membrane vesicles derived from endothelial cells exposed to 20% O2 (normoxia) or 0% O2 (hypoxia) for 24 h. Four different combinations of proteoliposomes were prepared by reconstituting (1) normoxic protein and normoxic phospholipid, (2) normoxic protein and hypoxic phospholipid, (3) hypoxic protein and normoxic phospholipid, and (4) hypoxic protein and hypoxic phospholipid. Fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene (DPH), a measure of fluidity, and 5-HT transport were evaluated in each of the four groups of reconstituted proteoliposomes. 5-HT transport by the reconstituted proteoliposomes was saturable, linear with protein (5 to 25 micrograms) and time (15 to 60 s), and optimal with a phospholipid-to-protein ratio of 3:1. There were no significant differences in intravesicular volume, phospholipid-to-protein ratio, and size distribution among the four different groups of proteoliposomes. 5-HT transport was significantly higher and fluorescence anisotropy of DPH was significantly lower in proteoliposomes made from hypoxic phospholipids irrespective of the source of protein. Hypoxia also had a direct effect on the 5-HT transporter since uptake was increased slightly in proteoliposomes from group 3. These results indicate that changes in the plasma membrane phospholipids, and to a much lesser extent changes in the 5-HT transporter, are responsible for increases in the transmembrane transport of 5-HT by hypoxic endothelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of the core and surface of human plasma lipoproteins. A study based on the use of five fluorophores

The physical properties of the core and the surface of five classes of human plasma lipoproteins were investigated using five fluorescent probes. The location of the fluorescence probes in the lipoprotein assembly was determined using collisional quenching and resonance energy transfer. The fluorophores monitor different regions of the lipoproteins, as shown by fluorescence quenching. Diphenylhexatriene (DPH) and methyl trans-parinaric acid (MTPA), which are apolar molecules, are localized mainly in the lipoprotein core. Their distribution into the surface is dependent upon the volume ratio of the hydrophobic part of the envelope and the core. The polar fluorophores, trimethylaminodiphenylhexatriene (TMADPH), hydroxycoumarin (HC) and trans-parinaric acid (TPA) are anchored in the glycerol skeleton region of the surface monolayer with the fluorophore group of HC in the headgroup region of the phospholipids. We determined the temperature-dependent steady-state fluorescence anisotropy ( r) of these fluorophores in the four major classes of lipoproteins: VLDL, LDL, HDL 2, HDL 3 and in abnormal HDL from abetalipoproteinemia patients (HDL ab). The hydrophobic probes, DPH and MTPA, reported the r values in the lipoproteins in the following order: LDL > HDL 2 > HDL 3 ⪢ VLDL. This order correlates with the triglyceride-to-cholesterol ester (TG/CE) ratio in the core of lipoproteins. The polar probes HC, TPA and TMADPH reported the r value in a different order: HDL 2, HDL 3 ≥ LDL ⪢ VLDL. This is compatible with the decreasing order of the protein to lipid ratio in the envelope of these lipoproteins. HDL ab was investigated by three fluorescent probes: DPH, TMADPH and HC. The anisotropy of DPH in HDL ab was larger than that of either HDL 2 or HDL 3 in normal donors, probably due to the smaller TG/CE ratio in HDL ab. The lower r values reported by HC and TMADPH for HDL ab are not fully understood and may be related to other factors such as acyl chains composition. The characterization of lipoproteins by fluorescence depolarization using probes of known location in the lipoprotein assembly is very sensitive and may be used to report deviation from the norm.

Cholesterol-induced alteration of apolipoprotein A-I conformation in reassembled high density lipoprotein

Recent reports have shown that apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), the major protein of high density lipoprotein (HDL) may exist in different conformational states. We studied the effects of apolipoprotein A-II and/or cholesterol on the conformation of apo A-I in reassembled HDL. Analysis of trytophan fluorescence quenching in the presence of iodine suggested that cholesterol increased the number of apo A-I tryptophan residues accessible to the aqueous phase, but decreased their mean degree of hydration. These observations cannot be totally explained on the basis of the effect of cholesterol on phospholipid viscosity as determined by fluorescence anisotropy of diphenyl hexatriene. We did not observe any effect of apo-II on the conformation of apo A-I.

Intracellular membranes are more fluid in platelets of Alzheimer's disease patients

We studied 12 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease versus age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Platelets were subfractionated into intracellular membranes and plasma membranes, and steady-state anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene was measured on the preparations as an index of membrane fluidity. Fluidity was higher in intracellular membranes from platelets of Alzheimer's patients compared to controls (P=0.016). However, no difference was observed in purified plasma membrane's fluidity from the same patients versus controls. Neither the platelet counts, platelet volumes, percent of larger platelets, nor the amount of internal membrane protein per platelet were different between groups. There was no correlation between intracellular membrane anisotropy and severity of dementia as measured on the Mini-Mental State Exam. The results extend previous studies suggesting that there is an intracellular membrane alteration in platelets in Alzheimer's disease.

Dextran sulphate reduces diphenylhexatriene anisotropy in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: impact on plasma membrane fluidity and HIV-cytopathogenicity

Cytopathogenicity of HIV and other enveloped viruses is reduced by membrane fluidizing agents and by dextran sulphate (DS). To investigate whether DS exerts its antiviral action via plasma membrane fluidization of host cells, we performed anisotropy measurements on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) using the fluorescent marker diphenylhexatriene. Anisotropy was decreased in DS-exposed PBL indicating increased fluidity in the hydrophobic membrane interior.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae membrane sterol modifications in response to growth in the presence of ethanol

Membranes isolated from yeasts grown in the presence of ethanol do not display the thermally induced transition in diphenylhexatriene anisotropy that is seen in control cells when they are exposed to ethanol in vitro. The total sterol content of the cells that were exposed to ethanol during growth is reduced, with no steryl esters being detected. A greater proportion of the total sterol pool is ergosterol in cells grown in the presence of alcohol. The activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase is reduced by ethanol in vitro. Ethanol-exposed cells take up more exogenous sterol under aerobic conditions than do control cells. The presence of ethanol during growth reduces the activity of the plasma membrane enzyme, chitin synthase, as well as increasing the thermosensitivity of this enzyme.

Evaluation of membrane phase behavior as a tool to detect extrinsic protein-induced domain formation: binding of prothrombin to phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine vesicles

The temperature-composition phase diagram of mixed dimyristoylphosphatidylserine (DMPS) and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) small unilamellar vesicles was determined in the presence and absence of bound bovine prothrombin by monitoring the phospholipid order-disorder phase separation using diphenylhexatriene (DPH) fluorescence anisotropy. The shape of the membrane temperature-composition diagram was essentially unaltered by the binding of prothrombin in the presence of Ca2+ although the two-phase (gel/fluid) region was slightly narrowed and shifted by 1-10 degrees C to higher temperatures. This result does not support the popular idea that extensive domains rich in negatively charged phospholipid are induced in response to prothrombin binding. Instead of implying domain formation, our results demonstrate that the observed increase in melting temperature associated with binding of prothrombin to acidic phospholipid membranes can be accounted for by the observed altered membrane order both in the fluid and in the solid lamellar phases. The membrane order in the liquid-crystalline phase increased with increased acidic lipid content, and much more so for DMPS than for dipentadecanoylphosphatidylglycerol (DC15PG). These results demonstrate that simple shifts in membrane phase behavior cannot be properly interpreted to prove the existence of charged lipid domains. In addition, we report the unexpected observation that prothrombin increased the anisotropy of DPH in DMPS/DMPC vesicles in the liquid-crystalline phase in the absence of Ca2+ as well as in its presence. This effect was seen to a lesser extent and only at a much higher charged-lipid content for DC15PG/DMPC vesicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Altered membrane structure in transfected mouse L-cell fibroblasts expressing rat liver fatty acid-binding protein.

Mouse L cell fibroblasts were transfected with cloned cDNA encoding rat liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) also known as sterol carrier protein. Stable transfectant cell lines were selected and expression of L-FABP determined using Western blot analysis. The nontransfected controls and low expression cells did not differ significantly in any of the properties examined. All cell lines showed similar doubling times but cells expressing high levels of L-FABP attained 2-fold higher cell saturation density and differed significantly in their lipid metabolism as indicated by 1) higher cholesterol ester and phospholipid content, and 2) decreased sterol/phospholipid ratio. The observed changes in the lipid composition predicted a lower degree of membrane-lipid order (higher fluidity) in the plasma membranes of cells expressing high levels of L-FABP. Therefore, fluorescent molecule, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, and multifrequency (1-250 MHz) phase and modulation fluorometry were used to probe the effect of L-FABP expression on membrane structure. Steady-state polarization and limiting anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene were significantly lower in the isolated plasma membrane vesicles from the high expression clones. The observed changes in L-cells as a result of de novo expression of L-FABP are consistent with the ability of this protein to bind sterols and fatty acids, stimulate sterol esterification, and stimulate phospholipid biosynthesis. This evidence is supportive of a physiologic role for L-FABP in modulating cellular lipid metabolism and membrane structure.

Lipid and membrane interactions of neuropeptide Y

The interactions of neuropeptide Y with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and cell membranes were examined by several physical techniques to probe the potential role of its putative C-terminal amphipathic α-helix. Neuropeptide Y binding was demonstrated by a rapid release of entrapped 6-carboxyfluorescein and a rapid decrease in the turbidity of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. In addition, an increase in tyrosine fluorescence intensity and an increase in the anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes was observed. In isolated, aortic smooth muscle cell membranes, the anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene increased as a function of added neuropeptide Y. The concentration range (low μM) over which neuropeptide Y increases the polarization of diphenylhexatriene in cell membranes is similar to the range in which it inhibits isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation. This inhibition is not affected by pertussis toxin, nor does neuropeptide Y cause the release of preloaded [ 3H]adenine from cells into the medium. These data suggest that neuropeptide Y contains an amphipathic α-helical region which interacts with lipids in much the same way as the amphipathic α-helical regions of the plasma apolipoproteins and that the inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation at low μM concentrations of peptide may be the result of an alteration in the cell membrane bilayer structure.

Early selective effects of gentamicin on renal brush-border membrane Na-Pi cotransport and Na-H exchange

Gentamicin nephrotoxicity is associated with impairments in proximal tubular function. This study determined whether gentamicin administration to the rat, before a reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), causes early and selective alterations in renal cortical brush-border membrane (BBM) enzyme and transport activity, lipid composition, and fluidity. Three days of gentamicin administration caused significant decreases in the Vmax of alkaline phosphatase, the Vmax of sodium gradient-dependent phosphate transport (Na-Pi cotransport), and the Vmax of pH gradient-dependent sodium transport (Na-H exchange). Gentamicin did not affect BBM-bound maltase or leucine aminopeptidase activities and sodium gradient-dependent glucose or proline transport activities. Gentamicin also caused a significant decrease in BBM sphingomyelin, significant increases in BBM phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol, a significant decrease in the phospholipid fatty acid saturation index, and a significant increase in BBM fluidity, i.e., decrease in the fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene. These BBM functional and compositional effects of gentamicin were independent of endogenous parathyroid hormone activity. We conclude that gentamicin causes early and specific alterations in BBM enzyme and transport activity and also lipid composition, which may play an important role in the progression of renal cell injury.

Cholesterol modulates rat renal brush border membrane phosphate transport.

In dietary phosphate (Pi) deprivation and in aging there is an inverse correlation between renal proximal tubular brush border membrane (BBM) cholesterol (Chol) content, BBM fluidity, and BBM sodium gradient-dependent Pi transport activity (Na-Pi cotransport). The purpose of this study was to determine whether in vitro enrichment of renal BBM with Chol has a direct modulating effect on Na-Pi cotransport. 12 and 24 mol % increases in Chol content caused dose-dependent decreases in Na-Pi cotransport activity, 2,000 in control, vs. 1,450 in Chol (+12%), vs. 900 pmol/5 s/mg BBM protein in Chol (+24%), all P less than 0.01, which was paralleled by dose-dependent increases in the fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene, rDPH, i.e., decrease in BBM fluidity, 0.203 in control, vs. 0.210 in Chol (+12%), vs. 0.219 in Chol (+24%), all P less than 0.01. We found that increasing ambient temperature, which increases BBM fluidity independent of changes in Chol content, increased Na-Pi cotransport. When Na-Pi cotransport was analyzed as a function of BBM fluidity, 1/rDPH, we found that at an equivalent BBM fluidity BBM Chol enrichment still resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in Na-Pi cotransport. Finally, in BBM isolated from rats fed a low Pi diet in vitro enrichment with Chol completely reversed the adaptive increases in Na-Pi cotransport and fluidity. Our study therefore, indicates that Chol is a direct modulator of renal BBM Na-Pi cotransport activity, and that in vivo alterations in BBM Chol content most likely plays an important role in the regulation of renal tubular Pi transport.

Membrane Fluidity and Lipid Composition of Rat Testicles in Experimental Cryptorchidism

Membrane fluidity and lipid composition of rat testis in experimental bilateral cryptorchidism were studied. Membrane fluidity measured by fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene decreased on the 3rd day of intraabdominal fixation, at an early stage of cryptorchidism. Lipid composition of testicular membrane was changed drastically by the treatment, and time-dependent changes were observed during the course of the experiment. Cholesterol content increased significantly, but phospholipid content was not affected by the treatment. The ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids increased significantly. Fatty acid moieties of phospholipids varied during the course of the experiment. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreased on the 3rd day. These changes indicated a different physical state of cryptorchid membranes from normals, and the changes may be involved in the pathophysiology of cryptorchidism.

Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid peroxidation in LM fibroblast plasma membrane transbilayer structure

The effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid peroxidation on LM fibroblast plasma membrane individual leaflet sterol distribution and structural order were examined. The cytofacial (inner) leaflet was more rigid and contained more sterol than the exofacial (outer) leaflet. The static (limiting anisotropy) and dynamic (rotational relaxation time) structural components of diphenylhexatriene (DPH) motion in each leaflet were determined by phase and modulation fluorometry measurements combined with leaflet-specific quenching by trinitrophenyl groups. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, incorporated into the membrane phospho-lipids by culture medium supplementation, decreased the limiting anisotropy of DPH in the cytofacial but not the exofacial leaflet thereby abolishing the transbilayer difference in fluidity. Peroxidation by Fe(II) + H 2O 2 resulted in a rigidification (increase in limiting anisotropy and rotational relaxation time) of the plasma membrane exofacial leaflet, regardless of whether the membranes contained saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids or were enriched in either linoleate or linolenate. The structure of the cytofacial leaflet reported by DPH was unaffected. Plasma membrane transbi-layer sterol distribution, measured by leaflet-specific quenching of dehydroergosterol fluorescence, indicated that 20–28% of the sterol was localized in the exofacial leaflet. Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation of LM fibroblasts resulted in a complete reversal of plasma membrane transbilayer sterol distribution (72–76% exofacial leaflet). Sterol transbilayer distribution between the membrane leaflets was completely resistant to alteration by exposure to crosslinking agents and peroxidation in control plasma membranes and by peroxidation in linoleate- or linolenate-supplemented membranes.

Time dependent changes occurring in rat liver microsomes upon lipid peroxidation.

Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene and n-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acids (n = 2,12) in rat liver microsomes showed a marked increase in the early stages of enzymatically or non-enzymatically induced lipid peroxidation. The changes in fluorescence anisotropy occurred in parallel with the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). Parallel to these changes, the fluorescence emitted from peroxidized microsomes increased markedly in the early stages of lipid peroxidation. In contrast to the changes in the fluorescence anisotropy and in the formation of TBA-RS, the fluorescence showed a continuing increase over the three hr period of lipid peroxidation. Glucose-6-phosphatase was inactivated in the early stages of lipid peroxidation, whereas NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase underwent a slow deactivation over three hr. The apparently slow deactivation of the peripheral protein may be explained by the formation of fluorescent substances.

Osmoelastic coupling in biological structures: decrease in membrane fluidity and osmophobic association of phospholipid vesicles in response to osmotic stress

Poly(ethylene glycol)- (PEG-) induced change in membrane fluidity and aggregation of phospholipid vesicles were studied. A threshold concentration of PEG was required to induce the aggregation. This concentration increased with a decrease in the molecular weight of PEG, e.g., from 5% (w/w) with PEG 6000 (PEG with an average molecular weight of 7500) to more than 30% (w/w) with PEG 200. The aggregation was reversible upon dilution of PEG if the initial PEG concentration was smaller than a certain value, e.g., 22% (w/w) for PEG 6000. Addition of PEG caused a decrease in membrane fluidity of the vesicles detected by fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene and by electron spin resonance of a spin-labeled fatty acid. The anisotropy change of diphenylhexatriene fluidity change had an inflection point at approximately 5% (w/w) of PEG 6000, which might suggest that the aggregation would make the decrease of membrane fluidity smaller. Transfer of lipid molecules between phospholipid vesicles was enhanced by the PEG-induced aggregation. The enhancement occurred not only upon direct addition of PEG to the suspending medium, but also upon dialysis of the vesicle suspension against a high concentration of PEG. All these features are consistent with osmoelastic coupling in the phospholipid membranes and the subsequent osmophobic association of the vesicles. The imbalance of osmolarity between the region adjacent to the vesicle surface (exclusion layer) and the bulk aqueous phase, which results from the preferential exclusion of PEG from the exclusion layer in the case of direct addition of PEG, exerts an osmotic stress on the vesicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Proton permeability and lipid dynamics of gastric and duodenal apical membrane vesicles

The passive proton permeability (Pnet) of apical membrane vesicles from rabbit parietal cells (gastric) and duodenal and renal cortical brush-border membranes (BBM) was determined by acridine orange fluorescence quenching. Values of Pnet were found to be gastric (4 x 10(-4) cm/s) less than duodenal (10(-3) cm/s) much less than renal (10(-2) cm/s). Arrhenius plots of the temperature profile of proton permeation of gastric vesicles was linear, whereas that of duodenal BBM displayed a discontinuity at 30-33 degrees C. Alcohols (octyl, benzyl, ethyl) increased Pnet in a concentration-dependent manner, with efficacy related to their oil-water partition coefficients. In a parallel series of experiments, structural parameters of the vesicle membrane lipids (fluidity) were monitored from both the steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene. Fluidity of the membranes was unrelated to Pnet (renal congruent to duodenal less than gastric). Gastric vesicles demonstrated a linear Arrhenius plot of temperature dependence for fluidity, whereas duodenal BBM demonstrated a discontinuity. Membrane fluidity of gastric and duodenal vesicles was increased by alcohols, with the same potency as for Pnet, and these two variables were significantly correlated after perturbation with alcohols. Thus the fluidity of the lipid bilayer is not the major determinant of Pnet, but alteration of its structural parameters, as reflected by fluidity, produces parallel changes in Pnet.

Role of BBM lipid composition and fluidity in impaired renal Pi transport in aged rat.

Renal tubular phosphate (Pi) transport is impaired in the aged rat. The decrement in Pi transport is manifested as a decrease in the Vmax of the luminal brush-border membrane (BBM) sodium-dependent Pi transport. In the present study we determined the potential role of alterations in cortical BBM lipid composition and fluidity in the age-related phosphaturia observed in rats. In the aged rat there are significant increases in the BBM cholesterol (Chol, 504 vs. 422 nmol/mg protein in adult, P less than 0.01) and sphingomyelin (Sph, 41.8 vs. 37.5 mol% in adult, P less than 0.01) and a decrease in the BBM fluidity [increase in fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene (DPH), rDPH, 0.221 vs. 0.215 in adult, P less than 0.01]. The BBM lipid compositional and fluidity alterations may also play an important role in the impaired renal adaptation to a low-Pi diet in the aged rat. In the adult rat the renal adaptation to a low-Pi diet is associated with a decrease in BBM Chol (370 to 307 nmol/mg protein, P less than 0.01) and an increase in fluidity (decrease in rDPH 0.207 to 0.201, P less than 0.05). In the aged rat the renal adaptation to a low-Pi diet is incomplete and is associated with impaired ability to lower BBM Chol (441 to 429 nmol/mg protein, P = NS) and to increase fluidity (rDPH 0.211 to 0.211, P = NS). The results of this study therefore suggest that in the aged rat the increase in BBM Chol and Sph content, and the decrease in BBM fluidity play an important role in the impaired renal tubular Pi transport and adaptation to a low-Pi diet.

Cognitive function and platelet membrane fluidity in Alzheimer's disease

Increased platelet membrane fluidity, as reflected by a decrease in the fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene in labeled membranes, identifies a clinically distinct subgroup of approximately 50% of patients at our center who meet NINCDS-ADRDA clinical criteria for Alzheimer's disease. In the current study, we compared the cognitive impairments of patients in this subgroup to those observed in the residual subgroup of patients with Alzheimer's disease who had normal platelet membrane fluidity. No significant differences in the number or distribution of deficits in six cognitive domains were observed between the two subgroups. However, in the subgroup with increased platelet membrane fluidity, there were significantly more patients who exhibited dissociation of deficits on tests related to left and right parietal lobe function than in the residual subgroup. Moreover, the cases with dissociation of deficits consisted almost entirely of patients with deficits on tests reflecting left parietal lobe function and no deficit on tests of right parietal lobe function.