title: Electron spin resonance studies of an animal model of human congenital myotonia: increased erythrocyte membrane fluidity in rats with 20,25-diazacholesterol-induced myotonia.
abstract: Electron spin resonance experiments have been performed on erythrocyte membranes from rats with myotonia induced by treatment with 20,25-diazacholesterol. The results suggest that erythrocyte membranes in this animal model of human congenital myotonia possess a highly significantly increased surface membrane fluidity compared to that of controls. Alterations in the physical state of membrane proteins were not apparent. These findings, also present in human congenital myotonia [Butterfield, Chesnut, Roses & Appel, 1976, Nature (London) 263:159; Butterfield, 1977 (Submitted for publication)], strengthen the concepts that increased membrane fluidity is associated with the presence of myotonia and that congenital myotonia may be a diffuse membrane disease.
mesh_terms: D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur; D000818:Animals; D001372:Aza Compounds; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009224:Myotonia Congenita / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur; D001372:Aza Compounds; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D002784:Cholesterol