Polymorphonuclear leukocyte membrane fluidity and cytosolic Ca2+ content in different clinical conditions

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G Caimi1, B Canino, M Montana

  • 1Istituto di Clinica Medica e Malattie Cardiovascolari, Università di Palermo, Italy.

Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|May 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) membrane fluidity did not differ between healthy individuals and those with diabetes, vascular atherosclerotic disease, chronic renal failure, or hypertension. However, PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content was significantly elevated in patients with vascular atherosclerotic disease, chronic renal failure, and hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) play a role in vascular damage.
  • Altered PMN function may contribute to various clinical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate PMN membrane fluidity and cytosolic Ca2+ content in diabetes mellitus, vascular atherosclerotic disease (VAD), chronic renal failure (CRF), and essential hypertension (EH).

Main Methods:

  • PMN membrane fluidity was assessed using the fluorescent probe TMA-DPH and fluorescence polarization.
  • PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content was measured using the fluorescent probe Fura2-AM.
  • Evaluated subjects included those with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), VAD, VAD with NIDDM, CRF, and EH.

Main Results:

  • PMN membrane fluidity did not significantly distinguish control subjects from patients in any of the clinical groups studied.
  • PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content was significantly increased in VAD (p < 0.01), VAD with NIDDM (p < 0.001), CRF (p < 0.001), and EH (p < 0.05) compared to normal controls.
  • No correlation was observed between PMN membrane fluidity and PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content.

Conclusions:

  • PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content, but not membrane fluidity, is altered in several vascular and metabolic diseases.
  • These findings suggest that elevated PMN cytosolic Ca2+ may be a marker or contributor to vascular damage in these conditions.

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