title: Decreased plasma membrane fluidity in the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
abstract: Rabbits were fed a diet supplemented with 3% peanut oil or 3% peanut oil plus 0.5% cholesterol. Aortas from rabbits fed the cholesterol supplemented diet for 2 weeks were free of grossly visible lesions; however, aortas from rabbits fed this diet for 10 weeks exhibited extensive lesion development. Lesions were not observed in aortas of rabbits fed the high-fat supplemented diet. The fluorescence anisotropy of DPH was significantly (P = 0.0001) increased in plasma membranes isolated from aortas of rabbits fed the high-fat plus cholesterol vs. high-fat supplemented diet; the increase in fluorescence anisotropy observed after only 2 weeks on diet (0.201 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.144 +/- 0.002) was similar to that observed after 10 weeks on diet (0.244 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.193 +/- 0.001). The data support the hypothesis that plasma membrane fluidity [is decreased in atherosclerosis and indicate the decrease in membrane fluidity] occurs early in the development of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Medical Products Department, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Delaware 19898.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gillies
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D015720:5'-Nucleotidase; D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004161:Diphenylhexatriene; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D009708:Nucleotidases / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004161:Diphenylhexatriene; D009708:Nucleotidases; D015720:5'-Nucleotidase