Cell membrane fluidity

Osterode W, Holler C, Ulberth F (1996) Nutritional antioxidants, red cell membrane fluidity and blood viscosity in type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus. Diabet Med 13(12) 1044-1050... 

The inhalation anesthetics belong to diverse chemical classes. There main indication is the maintenance of anesthesia after intravenous induction. There are no suggestions that they interact with pharmacologically-defined receptors like some of the injectable anesthetics do and they have no specific site of action. Apparently they cause physical changes in cells such as changes in cell membrane fluidity. 

Cell membrane fluidity and modification of receptor properties... 

Cell membrane fluidity is determined by its hpid composition. The cell membrane is rendered more rigid if increased amounts of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol are incorporated into the membrane phospholipids. In contrast, increased incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids into the membrane will make it more fluid. This increase in membrane fluidity has been shown to increase the number of receptors and their affinity to their respective hormones or growth factors. For instance, an increase in the rigidity of the cell membrane reduces the number of insulin receptors and their affinity to insulin that, in turn, could cause insulin resistance. Alternatively, an increase in cell membrane fluidity because of an increase in the unsaturated fatty acid content in the membrane phosphohpids increases the number of insulin receptors and their affinity to insuhn and, thus, decreases insulin resistance (35 2). 

The relation between alkenone unsaturation (U37 = 37 2+3V3) annual sea surface temperature (SST) for samples from various locations in the World Ocean (from Muller et al.y 1998). In general, unsaturated alkenones are produced in greater relative abundance at lower water temperatures to maintain cell membrane fluidity. 

Ginsenoside Re was found to enhanced the membrane fluidity of both juvenile and mature red blood cells[62j. Another study on the effect of Re on membrane fluidity of normal and transformed cells showed the effect of Re on both-direction adjustment of cells membrane fluidity[63]. 

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