STUDY OF MEMBRANE FLUIDITY OF HYPERTENSIVE AND NORMOTENSIVE RATS

Recently, much attention has been given to the role of free radicals oxidation damage in human diseases and to the beneficial effects of antioxidant treatment. The antioxidants vitamin E and probucol are associated with reduction in blood pressure and with altering erythrocyte and other membrane fluidity thus leading to speculation that this may be the mechanism by which they provide protection from high blood pressure and other diseases.

Our research project is designed to determine if membrane fluidity is altered in hypertensive rats. In addition, we are investigating the effects of antioxidants on blood pressure and on membrane fluidity of hyperensive rats. We have studied the effects of vitamin E, a known antioxidant, on hypertension in rats.  Our preliminary data indicate that vitamin E has indeed reduced the microviscosity of erythrocyte membranes as well as the extent of lipid peroxidation in hypertensive rats compared to the controls.  We have found similar data with probucol.