title: Free radical induced biophysical modification of membrane lipids: a novel mechanism proposed for a haemorheological alteration induced by 4,5' 8-trimethyl psoralen.
abstract: Haemostasis is the spontaneous arrest of bleeding from damaged blood vessel. Platelet aggregation is the major event in this process. A number of drugs are known to inhibit this process of platelet aggregation. 4,5' 8-trimethyl psoralen a naturally occurring furocoumarin is used as a photochemotherapeutic agent in PUVA therapy. It shows antithrombotic action by preventing platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate in vitro. It is proposed that a free radical induces a lipid phase transition of the membrane lipids, the platelet membrane undergoes certain biophysical alteration leading to increased membrane fluidity resulting in a loss of aggregating ability.
authors.affiliation: Sir Hurkisondas Nurrotumdas Medical Research Society, Bombay, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nivsarkar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mokal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D005609:Free Radicals; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013113:Spin Labels; D014307:Trioxsalen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D013113:Spin Labels; D014307:Trioxsalen