Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis increases erythrocyte membrane fluidity and unsaturated fatty acid content

Changes in the lipid composition of the membrane affect its fluidity and function. These variables are altered in various forms of hypertension. Our hypothesis was that the rapid increase in blood pressure (BP) caused by inhibition of nitric oxide production would lead to alterations in membrane fluidity similar to those observed in genetic hypertension. We used Nω-nitro -arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and vehicle-treated (3 weeks) Wistar-Kyoto rats to study the effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on membrane fluidity and lipid composition. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was measured by fluorescence anisotropy. Membrane lipids were separated using Sep-Pak and thin-layer chromatography. Fatty acid methyl esters were produced and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Nω-nitro -arginine methyl ester treatment increased BP and erythrocyte membrane fluidity. The phospholipid and unsaturated fatty acid levels in the membranes from the L-NAME–treated rats were consistent with the increase in fluidity (ie, more unsaturated fatty acid, in particular, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid) and a reduction in membrane sphingomyelin content. Fatty acid analysis of individual lipid groups suggested the changes in membrane fatty acid composition may be asymmetric, with the majority of the changes occurring in the outer leaflet. Inhibition of NOS results in changes in membrane composition that may explain the concurrent changes in fluidity. The increased membrane fluidity observed here contrasts with the reduced fluidity observed in genetic hypertension or unchanged fluidity in secondary hypertension. The effects could be related to NOS inhibition or may be a direct effect of L-NAME.