title: Hypothalamic digoxin, cerebral dominance, and membrane biochemistry.
abstract: The present study assessed the biochemical differences in membrane composition/function between right hemispheric dominant and left hemispheric dominant individuals. The HMG CoA reductase activity, serum isoprenoid metabolite--digoxin--serum magnesium, and the RBC membrane composition/Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity were studied. The results showed that right hemispheric dominant individuals had (i) increased HMG CoA reductase activity and elevated digoxin levels, (ii) decreased RBC membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity and serum magnesium levels, and (iii) increased cholesterol:phospholipid ratio of RBC membranes with reduced membrane glycoconjugates. Left hemispheric dominant individuals had the opposite patterns. Right hemispheric dominance represents a hyperdigoxinemic state with membrane sodium-potassium ATPase inhibition. Left hemispheric dominance represents the reverse pattern with hypodigoxinemia and membrane sodium-potassium ATPase stimulation. Cerebral dominance can regulate membrane structure/function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Ravi Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kurup
authors.forename: Parameswara Achutha
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kurup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004077:Digoxin; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase