[Effect of the functional groups of tocopherol molecules on lipid viscosity of mitochondria].

The influence of tocopherol and its analogue (oxychroman) on the microviscosity of mitochondrial lipids was studied, using spin labels. The viscosity of the lipid bilayer was shown to enhance with the increase in the antioxidant content in the membrane. Small concentrations of alpha-tocopherol (10(-5)-10(-6) mol/l) were shown to increase, while large concentrations (10(-3)-10(-4) mol/l) decreased the fluidity of the lipid bilayer. The influence of alpha-tocopherol on fluidity of the lipid bilayer depending on its concentration could be realized in two ways: by direct influence on the lipid bilayer and via reception. It was shown that alterations in the viscosity of the lipid bilayer depend on chroman cycle of tocopherols, while the temperature of structural transfer and effective energy of activation depend on the lateral phytyl chain.