title: Pristane induced changes in rat lymphocyte membrane fluidity.
abstract: The ability of pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane) to act as a membrane perturbant was examined. Data obtained from rats treated with pristane by either intraperitoneal injection or the diet indicated there were significant increases over normal in the amount of pristane in lymphoid cells; 50-89% was incorporated into the plasma membranes. Fluorescence polarization analyses, using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, of normal plasma membrane isolates demonstrated that splenic and Peyer's patch lymphocytic membranes were more viscous than those of the thymus, mesenteric lymph nodes or peripheral blood. Studies to assess the effects of pristane on membrane viscosity demonstrated that there were significant differences in the viscosities of plasma membrane isolates from lymphocytes of normal versus pristane treated rats. The observed changes were dependent on route of administration, length of exposure and the lymphoid organ examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bly
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cuchens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D013729:Terpenes; C009042:pristane