The Lipid Bilayer in Genetic Hypertension

McLaren, Yvonne Fyfe (1993) The Lipid Bilayer in Genetic Hypertension. Master in Management Studies thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Membranes of cells isolated from genetically hypertensive rats or patients with essential hypertension when compared with those from normotensive controls, have been shown consistently to have greater microviscosity (lower fluidity), as monitored by the fluorescence polarisation or electron spin resonance spectra (Tsuda et al; 1987). The lipid bilayer of cells is, however, complex in nature and its study often confined by this complexity. Many cellular biochemical and biophysical events occur in the membrane where strict structural and dynamic features provide the control mechanisms and there is a reported correlation between changes in membrane fluidity and normal membrane functions (Dominiczak et al; 1991). Two methods used to measure membrane fluidity in this study are; fluorescence anisotropy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). The cells of study are cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), VSMC membranes and erythrocyte membranes. Objectives of the study are to examine fluidity in intact membranes and membrane preparations of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Membranes from a segregating (F2) hybrid produced by crossing SHRSP and WKY rats are used to determine whether elevated microvisosity is associated with elevated arterial pressure. These studies may contribute to an understanding of the genetic and possible causal relationship between membrane fluidity, hypertension and the possible effects on cellular homeostasis. Extensive in-vitro studies described that 1 significant modification of membrane physico-chemical structure may be achieved by small changes in fatty acid composition within the membranes (Remmers et al; 1990, Stubbs & Smith, 1984), Analysis of fatty acid composition in plasma membranes of VSMC from SHRSP and WKY was carried out in parallel with FRAP to see if fatty acid composition could be related to abnormalities on membrane fluidity. Also the possible effects of cholesterol on membrane fluidity will be investigated by enriching cultured VSMC from SHRSP and WKY rat strains. The hypothesis is that the generalised dysfunction of diverse protein transport systems of the membrane in hypertension is caused by a fault in the common matrix in which they all function, the lipid bilayer.

• Item Type: Thesis (Master in Management Studies)
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Anna Dominiczak
• Keywords: Medicine, Genetics
• Date of Award: 1993
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1993-75466
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 20:02
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 20:02
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/75466