Changes in the Lipid Composition of Biological Membranes under the Influence of Endogenous and Exogenous Factors

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B. Szachowicz-Petelska^1,a

¹Institute of Chemistry, University in Bialystok, 15-245 Bialystok, Poland

Received December 15, 2017; Revised August 21, 2018; Accepted August 21, 2018

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Quantitative and qualitative assessments of cell membrane components are essential for the accurate interpretation of processes occurring in biological membranes. Changes in the structure and function of cell membrane components have been linked to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress induced by chronic ethanol consumption or cancer transformation has been implicated in changing the levels of phospholipids and fatty acids in the cell membrane. In this study, we used high-performance liquid chromatography to quantitate the effects of alcohol and malignant transformation on membrane components, namely phospholipids and free fatty acids. Ethanol increased the phospholipid levels. Moreover, the process of malignant transformation was accompanied by increased levels of phospholipids and arachidonic acid as well as decreased levels of linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid. Thus, these oxidative stress-inducing conditions that cause variations in the cellular composition affect the actions of the cell membrane and cell function.

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KEY WORDS: phospholipids, free fatty acids, ethanol, cancer

DOI: 10.1134/S000629791902007X

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