The Effect of Alcohols on Red Blood Cell Mechanical Properties and Membrane Fluidity Depends on Their Molecular Size

Abstract

The role of membrane fluidity in determining red blood cell (RBC) deformability has been suggested by a number of studies. The present investigation evaluated alterations of RBC membrane fluidity, deformability and stability in the presence of four linear alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol) using ektacytometry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. All alcohols had a biphasic effect on deformability such that it increased then decreased with increasing concentration; the critical concentration for reversal was an inverse function of molecular size. EPR results showed biphasic changes of near-surface fluidity (i.e., increase then decrease) and a decreased fluidity of the lipid core; rank order of effectiveness was butanol > propanol > ethanol > methanol, with a significant correlation between near-surface fluidity and deformability (r = 0.697; p<0.01). The presence of alcohol enhanced the impairment of RBC deformability caused by subjecting cells to 100 Pa shear stress for 300 s, with significant differences from control being observed at higher concentrations of all four alcohols. The level of hemolysis was dependent on molecular size and concentration, whereas echinocytic shape transformation (i.e., biconcave disc to crenated morphology) was observed only for ethanol and propanol. These results are in accordance with available data obtained on model membranes. They document the presence of mechanical links between RBC deformability and near-surface membrane fluidity, chain length-dependence of the ability of alcohols to alter RBC mechanical behavior, and the biphasic response of RBC deformability and near-surface membrane fluidity to increasing alcohol concentrations.

Positive effects of naringenin on near-surface membrane fluidity in human erythrocytes

“…In conclusion, according to the ability of naringenin to increase near-surface membrane fluidity which is reflected positively in their deformability and rheologic behavior (19,26), our results imply potentially beneficial effects of citrus flavanone intake in the conditions characterized by decreased luminal diameter of blood vessels and disturbed hemodynamics.…”

“…When it comes to erythrocytes, these properties reflect their ability to elastically modify shape in order to functionally pass through the narrow vessels (26), especially in hypertension or atherosclerosis. We have recently shown the linear dependence of erythrocyte deformability and superficial membrane fluidity, using the alcohols of rising molecular size in the model system (19). Also, the cell membrane alterations may characterize a certain blood pressure disorders (16).…”

In vitro effects of prolonged exposure to quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate of the peripheral blood mononuclear cell membrane

“…Sergent stated that some xenobiotics (such as tacrine, ximelagatran or ethanol) that induce liver injury increase the hepatocytes membrane fluidity, thus leading to disturbances in the cell function [40]. A role for membrane fluidity in red blood cell deformability and stability was recently suggested [45,46]. It was proven that at lower alcohol concentrations (methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol), fluidity gradually increased and the effect was reversed at higher concentrations.…”

Indicators of Red Blood and T-Lymphocytes in Patients With Alcoholism; Protective Potential of Lithium Ascorbate

“…Эритроциты подвергаются как прямому токсическому действию этанола и продуктов его метабо-лизма, так и окислительной модификации липидной компоненты эритроцитарных мембран [1][2][3][4]. Модификация липидного бислоя сопровождается изменением морфо-логии эритроцитов, снижением гемолитиче-ской устойчивости, возможным развитием анемии, нарушением роли в поддержании адекватного иммунного ответа [5][6][7].…”