DISRUPTION OF ENDOTHELIAL BARRIER FUNCTION - RELATIONSHIP TO FLUIDITYOF MEMBRANE EXTRACELLULAR LAMELLA

1. Endothelial cells were cultured in tissue culture flasks or on micr ocarrier beads and labeled with a lipid specific spin-label. 2. Exposu re of endothelial cells to benzyl alcohol caused a dose- and time-depe ndent increase in membrane fluidity using electron spin resonance (ESR ). Maximum fluidity was reached after a 5-min exposure to 100 mM benzy l alcohol. 3. Albumin permeability across endothelial cells cultured o n micropore filters was used as an indication of endothelial monolayer integrity. 4. A significant increase in permeability occurred with 50 mM benzyl alcohol. Maximal albumin permeability was reached after a 5 -min exposure to 100 mM benzyl alcohol.