• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 1990

Intramolecular excimer formation with 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) and fluorescence polarization with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) were used to evaluate the effects of barbiturates on the bulk fluidity of the model membranes of phosphatidylethanolamine fraction of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMVPE) isolated from bovine cerebral cortex. In the SPMVPE, barbiturates decreased the excimer to monomer fluorescence intensity ratio (I'/I) of Py-3-Py and increased the fluorescence polarization (P), anisotropy (r), limiting anisotropy $(r_{8})$, order parameter (S) and rotational relaxation time $({\bar{P}})$ of DPH in a dose-dependent manner. The relative potencies of barbiturates to order the SPMVPE were in the order: pentobarbital > hexobarbital > amobarbital > phenobarbital. Hence, it is concluded that barbiturates have ordering effects on the SPMVPE. And the membrane-ordering potencies of barbiturates appear to be correlated with the potencies for enhancement of GABA-stimulated chloride influx and with the anesthetic effects of barbiturates.