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Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons

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Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

Aspirin

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology

Neutron Scattering At The Intersection Of Heart Health Science And Biophysics, Drew Marquardt, Richard J. Alsop, Maikel C. Rheinstädter, Thad A. Harroun Jun 2015

Neutron Scattering At The Intersection Of Heart Health Science And Biophysics, Drew Marquardt, Richard J. Alsop, Maikel C. Rheinstädter, Thad A. Harroun

Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

There is an urgent quest for improved heart health. Here, we review how neutron radiation can provide insight into the molecular basis of heart health. Lower cholesterol, a daily intake of aspirin and supplemental vitamin E are argued to all improve heart health. However, the mechanisms behind these common regimens, and others, are not entirely understood. It is not clear why a daily intake of aspirin can help some people with heart disease, and the benefits of vitamin E in the treatment of reperfusion injury have been heavily debated. The molecular impact of cholesterol in the body is still a …


Aspirin Inhibits Formation Of Cholesterol Rafts In Fluid Lipid Membranes, Richard J. Alsop, Laura Toppozini, Drew Marquardt, Norbert Kučerka, Thad A. Harroun, Maikel C. Rheinstädter Jan 2015

Aspirin Inhibits Formation Of Cholesterol Rafts In Fluid Lipid Membranes, Richard J. Alsop, Laura Toppozini, Drew Marquardt, Norbert Kučerka, Thad A. Harroun, Maikel C. Rheinstädter

Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a high affinity for phospholipid membranes, altering their structure and biophysical properties. Aspirin has been shown to partition into the lipid head groups, thereby increasing membrane fluidity. Cholesterol is another well known mediator of membrane fluidity, in turn increasing membrane stiffness. As well, cholesterol is believed to distribute unevenly within lipid membranes leading to the formation of lipid rafts or plaques. In many studies, aspirin has increased positive outcomes for patients with high cholesterol. We are interested if these effects may be, at least partially, the result of a non-specific interaction between aspirin …