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Published on: July 13, 2014
Platelet and erythrocyte membrane fluidity changes in alcohol-dependent patients undergoing acute withdrawal
1Department of Psychiatry, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, UK.
Abstract:
This study tested the hypothesis that membrane fluidity may alter during the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome. Platelet membranes of alcohol-dependent patients (n = 7) were significantly more rigid than controls (n = 7) at the start of alcohol withdrawal (mean fluorescence anisotropy 203.1 x 10(-3) vs 195.5 x 10(-3) respectively, P = 0.03), but were significantly more fluid when withdrawal was complete (191.4 x 10(-3) vs 199.2 x 10(-3), P = 0.03). Consequently platelet membranes of patients adapted to the known acute fluidizing effect of alcohol by becoming more rigid, but underwent a marked fluidization during withdrawal. There were no significant changes in erythrocyte membrane fluidity during withdrawal.
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