S-adenosylmethionine protects against erythrocyte membrane alterations induced in rabbits by cholesterol-rich diet.

In the erythrocyte membranes of rabbits fed a cholesterol rich diet for two months the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was twice higher than in controls. The same diet induced a significant decrease in membrane fluidity and acetylcholinesterase activity. Two daily administrations of 25 mg X kg-1 b.w.-1 of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) have shown to protect against membrane alterations induced by hypercholesterolemic regimen. This observation would suggest the use of SAMe in those pathological conditions like hyperlipoproteinemias and liver diseases where membrane alterations are reported.