PMID: 6539418May 1, 1984Paper

Physical properties and lipid composition of brain membranes from ethanol tolerant-dependent mice

Molecular Pharmacology
R A HarrisR J Hitzemann

Abstract

DBA/2 mice were made tolerant to and dependent on ethanol by administration of an ethanol-containing liquid diet for 7 days. Fluorescent probe molecules were used to estimate the fluidity and ethanol sensitivity of brain synaptic membranes from these mice. The fluorescence polarization of cis- parinarate , trans- parinarate , and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (probes of the membrane core) and 1-(4- trimethylammoniumphenyl )-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (a probe of the membrane surface) was higher in membranes from ethanol tolerant-dependent mice than in membranes from control mice. The decrease in fluorescence polarization produced by in vitro exposure to ethanol was attenuated in membranes from ethanol tolerant-dependent mice when 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene was used as the probe, but not when 1-(4- trimethylammoniumphenyl )-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene was used. These results indicate that chronic ingestion of ethanol decreased the fluidity and the ethanol sensitivity of the synaptic membranes. In contrast to the alterations observed with intact membranes, liposomes of lipids extracted from synaptic membranes of control and ethanol tolerant-dependent mice did not differ in their physical properties. Analysis of membrane lipids de...Continue Reading

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