title: Positive effects of naringenin on near-surface membrane fluidity in human erythrocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deformability/rheologic behavior of erythrocytes are related to near-surface membrane fluidity. Specific agents can increase erythrocyte membrane fluidity in order to adjust hemodynamics in cardiovascular diseases. Grapefruit flavanone naringenin has been proposed for potential use in an alternative therapy of cardiovascular conditions. In respect to this, we assessed here effects of two nutritionally relevant concentrations of naringenin (0.1 and 1 μg/ml) on near-surface membrane fluidity in human erythrocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and fatty acid spin probes (5-DS and 7-DS), the spectra of which are dependent on membrane fluidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed a significant (p = 0.029) increase of membrane fluidity near the hydrophilic surface in erythrocytes treated with higher concentration of naringenin. In the deeper layer, just below the erythrocyte membrane phospholipid heads, both lower and higher concentration of naringenin significantly increased membrane fluidity (p = 0.036 and p = 0.028, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data document the positive and dose dependent effect of naringenin on near-surface membrane fluidity in human erythrocytes, recommending its use in the cardiovascular conditions characterized by disturbed hemodynamics.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ajdžanović
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jakovljević
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Milenković
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konić-Ristić
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Živanović
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jarić
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Milošević
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D044950:Flavanones; D010743:Phospholipids; C005273:naringenin
keywords: cardiovascular; erythrocytes; membrane fluidity; naringenin