Ethanol's fluidizing effects on RBC membranes from children at risk for alcoholism

The fluidizing effects of ethanol on membrane fluidity at 37 degrees C have been assessed using steady-state anisotropy measurements in both children at high risk for developing alcoholism and control children. Erythrocyte membranes were labeled with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and fluidity measurements recorded by steady-state fluorescence anisotropy for three ethanol concentrations--0, 0.5 M, and 1.0 M. The in vitro fluidizing effects of acute ethanol treatment by concentration were clearly shown in both groups. However, RBC membranes taken from children at high risk for developing alcoholism showed no significant differences in baseline membrane fluidity or to the fludizing effects of ethanol.