Ischemia/reperfusion-induced changes in membrane fluidity characteristics of brain capillary endothelial cells and its prevention by liposomal-incorporated superoxide dismutase.

The effect of global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion on cerebral capillary endothelial cell membrane fluidity was examined using electron paramagnetic resonance techniques following 8 minutes of global ischemia and 15 minutes of blood reperfusion. The luminal surface of the cerebral vasculature was perfused with a series of doxyl stearic acid reporters (5-, 12-, 16-doxyl stearic acid) which differ in the site of attachment of the nitroxide free radical on the fatty acid chain. Each doxyl stearic acid reports on membrane fluidity characteristics from different depths within the membrane. Ischemia/reperfusion produced a membrane ordering that was markedly dependent on intramembrane location, and was consistent with changes previously associated with lipid peroxidation. The effect of ischemia/reperfusion on membrane fluidity was maximal in the membrane environment reported by 12-doxyl stearic acid (12-DS). The utilization of a liposomal system was shown to enhance superoxide dismutase delivery to cerebral tissues as well as attenuating the change in membrane order seen following reperfusion-induced lipid peroxidation.