The response of the neuronal membrane to acetaldehyde treatment.

To assess the effects of acetaldehyde (AA) on the native synaptosomal membranes, we used the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescent methods. A wide range of concentrations (from 2 to 4000 microM) of AA was studied. The visualization of synaptosomes by AFM showed structural changes in the synaptosomal surface at an AA concentration of 50 microM, which is comparable with the AA concentrations occurring during ethanol intoxication. In our study, we observed that AA at small concentrations (up to 50 microM) considerably decreased the microviscosity of the hydrophobic region of the bulk membrane lipids (the ratio of the monomeric and excimeric probe fluorescence decreased). These findings correlate with the AFM study on the effect of 50 microM AA on the washed synaptosome membranes.