Aluminum fluoride affects the structure and functions of cell membranes

摘要: No useful biological function for aluminum has been found. To the contrary, it might play an important role in several pathologies, which could be related to its interactions with cell membranes. On other hand, fluoride is a normal component of body fluids, soft tissues, bones and teeth. Its sodium salt frequently added drinking water prevent dental caries. However, large doses cause severe pathological alterations. In view toxicity Al(3+) F(-) ions, was thought interest explore damaging effects that AlF(3) induce With this aim, incubated human erythrocytes, were examined by phase contrast scanning electron microscopy, molecular models biomembranes. The latter consisted unilamellar vesicles (LUV) dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayers DMPC dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) studied fluorescence spectroscopy X-ray diffraction, respectively. order understand on ion transport (principally chloride) we used isolated toad skin electrophysiological measurements applied. It found altered shape erythrocytes inducing formation echinocytes. This effect explained diffraction revealed perturbed structure DMPC, class lipids located outer monolayer erythrocyte membrane. result confirmed LUV. biphasic (stimulatory followed inhibitory) suggested changes apical Cl(-) secretion moderate ATPase inactivation.