Changes in cell membranes of white blood cells treated with a common food additive E407a

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To estimate the state of phospholipid bilayer of rats WBCs exposed to a common food additive E407a, which is used as a thickener and emulsifier, during 4 h using a fluorescent probe − ortho-hydroxy derivative of 2,5-diaryl-1,3-oxazole. Materials and methods Steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy: a study by the environment-sensitive fluores-cent probe − 2-(2′-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazole (probe O1O). Results Changes are detected in the spectra of the fluorescent probe bound to rat WBCs treated with the solutions of E407a of various concentrations in comparison with the corresponding spectra of the probe incubated with the untreated leukocytes. The decrease in polarity and proton-donor ability is observed in the lipid membranes of leukocytes in the region, where the probe locates. Conclusions Our findings suggest a higher dehydration of leukocyte membranes of rats treated with a common food additive E407a at high concentrations and, thus, indicate that exposure to high doses of E407a leads to the increase in the lipid order (i.e. to decrease in fluidity) of the membranes of rat WBCs.