Lipid peroxidation and platelet membrane fluidity-implications for Alzheimer's disease?
Date
1994
Authors
Van Rensburg S.
Daniels W.M.U.
Van Zyl J.
Potocnik F.C.V.
Van Der Walt B.J.
Taljaard J.J.F.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
In humans, the fluidity of cell membranes generally decreases with age. Unexpectedly, several laboratories have found increased fluidity of platelet membranes (mainly endoplasmic reticulum) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared with controls. In the present study, free radical induced lipid peroxidation was found to increase the fluidity of platelet membranes. Hydroxyl radicals were generated in the presence of Fe2+ and EDTA at low concentrations of ascorbate. It is hypothesised that platelet membranes are unable to restore their microviscosity by incorporating cholesterol. There may be a link between the result obtained in this study, the recently discovered decreased cholesterol content of affected AD neuronal membranes, and the increased frequency of ε4 apolipoprotein E (a cholesterol carrier) found in AD patients.
Description
Keywords
apolipoprotein e, ascorbic acid, cholesterol, free radical, alzheimer disease, article, human, human cell, lipid peroxidation, membrane fluidity, priority journal, thrombocyte, Alzheimer Disease, Ascorbic Acid, Blood Platelets, Fluorescence Polarization, Human, Lipid Peroxides, Membrane Fluidity, Reference Values, Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances, Viscosity
Citation
NeuroReport
5
17
5
17