title: Chain length-dependent interaction of free fatty acids with the erythrocyte membrane.
abstract: Free fatty acids protect erythrocytes against hypotonic haemolysis in a certain low concentration range and become haemolytic at higher concentrations. The chain length dependence of this biphasic behaviour was investigated using human erythrocytes. The results can be summarized as follows: (i) A critical minimum chain length is required for both effects. Octanoic acid (C8) and fatty acids with a shorter chain length do not have any effect on the osmotic resistance of erythrocytes. (ii) Decanoic acid (C10) decreases the extent of hypo-osmotic haemolysis and does not become haemolytic at higher concentrations. (iii) Dodecanoic acid (C12) represents the minimum chain length for the typical concentration-dependent biphasic behaviour with protection against hypo-osmotic haemolysis at a certain low concentration range and subsequent haemolysis at higher concentrations. (iv) Tetradecanoic acid (C14) exhibits two concentration ranges of protection against hypo-osmotic haemolysis, each followed by haemolytic concentrations. (v) The observed effects are not correlated with the critical micellar concentrations of the investigated fatty acids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Academy of Medicine, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rybczynska
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Csordas
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008823:Micelles; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008823:Micelles