ABSTRACT
The influence of Ca2+ mediators (nifedipine, verapamil and prostaglandin F2α) on fluorescence polarization of l-anilino-8-napthalene-sulphonate in dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes was studied at various temperatures to understand the dynamic behaviour of membrane lipids. We also studied the effect of change in calcium concentration on the fluorescence polarization of the dye in the liposomes. Our results show increase in polarization (indicative of stiffening of the membrane) in the presence of Ca2+ ions. In the case of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes, all 3 drugs caused decrease in fluorescence polarization (increase in fluidity of the membrane) with or without Ca2+ ions in the medium. Contrary to this, in the case of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes, the fluidization effect is observed for all the 3 drugs in the absence of Ca2+ ions; in the presence of Ca2+ ions stiffening is observed upon addition of nifedipine and verapamil which are antagonists, and fluidization is observed upon addition of prostaglandin F2α· The role of drug-induced fluidity changes in membranes in therapy planning is discussed in the paper.