Influences of tromantadine and nonoxinol 9 on the stability of red cell membrane

The antiviral compound tromantadine (ViruMerz) and the detergent nonoxinol 9 have been investigated in their effects on biophysical parameters of red cell membranes. Up to a maximum ratio of 1 mol per 800 mol of phospholipids tromantadine enhances the membrane phase transition/separation break at 16-20 degrees C measured by 1-anilinonaphthalene-sulfonate (ANS) fluorescence. It also increases order parameters obtained from spin labeling experiments with 5-doxyl stearic acid. Nonoxinol 9 interacts with the membrane at a maximum ratio of 1 mol per 40 mol of phospholipids determined by UV spectrophotometry. The substance decreases the intensity of the above phase transition/separation break and the order parameters of the spin label 5-doxyl stearic acid. These experiments indicate that tromantadine probably stabilizes the membrane whereas nonoxynol 9 exhibits opposite effects. Combination of both compounds equalizes the influences of the single substances on the above biophysical parameters of red cell membrane with predominance of the nonoxinol 9 effect.