Pilot studies on membranes and some transport mechanisms in Friedreich's ataxia

The observed anomalies in high density lipoproteins in Friedreich's ataxia led us to investigate the state of cellular membranes in this illness. As a preliminary screening program, we studied the shape of erythrocytes; the phospholipid content of platelets and the transport properties of these membranes as indirectly reflected in the absorption of Vit E and the renal handling of orally injected taurine. All these investigations were normal, except for a tendency towards more echinocytes in Friedreich's ataxia and the insignificant increase in taurine urinary excretion after an oral load. We concluded that the possible membrane abnormalities are not major and will have to be searched for with more subtle and specific tests.