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Alterations of cell membrane composition during prolonged fasting in lizards
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|December 6, 1984
Summary
Prolonged fasting in male lizards alters membrane lipid composition in various organs, with changes reversing upon refeeding. This suggests fasting impacts tissue lipid regulation, potentially involving plasma lipoproteins.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Comparative Biology
Background:
- Cell membrane lipid composition is crucial for cellular function.
- Organismal responses to prolonged fasting involve metabolic and physiological adjustments.
- Lipid homeostasis can be challenged during periods of nutritional stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prolonged fasting on the lipid composition of cell membranes in various lizard organs.
- To determine if plasma lipid profiles correlate with membrane lipid alterations during fasting.
- To assess the reversibility of fasting-induced membrane lipid changes upon refeeding.
Main Methods:
- Lipid analysis of membranes isolated from kidney, skeletal muscle, small intestine, testis, heart, lung, brain, and liver.
- Analysis of plasma lipid composition.
- Comparison of lipid profiles between fasted and refed lizards.
Main Results:
- Fasting significantly altered membrane lipid composition, increasing cholesterol and cholesterol/phospholipid ratios in most organs, while decreasing total phospholipids.
- Specific reductions in phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin ratios were observed in kidney, muscle, testis, intestine, and liver.
- Plasma lipid alterations correlated with membrane changes, and normal membrane lipid composition was restored after refeeding.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged fasting disrupts normal membrane lipid composition in specific lizard tissues.
- Abnormal plasma lipoproteins may play a role in mediating these fasting-induced lipid changes.
- The observed membrane lipid alterations are reversible upon nutritional recovery.