Changes in lymphocyte and erythrocyte membrane microviscosity in cancer patients

: Lymphocyte and erythrocyte membrane microviscosites of lipid-protein contact zones and lipid bilayer in blood of patients with gastric, urinary bladder and ovary cancers were investigated in comparison with healthy volunteers by means of coefficients of eximerization of fluorescent probe pyrene. The decrease of membrane fluidity (i.e. the increase of microviscosity) was revealed in blood cell membranes of patients with diffuse cancers of studied localizations. In the case of ovary cancer membrane fluidity decreased significantly only in patients with ascite form of the disease. The most pronounced increase of microviscosity was observed in lymphocytes and especially in erythrocytes of practically incurable patients. Interrelationship between microviscosity and other processes that influence on structural properties of membranes under malignancy and their functional role are discussed.