Changes in the cholesterol level, cholesterol-to-phospholipid mole ratio, and membrane lipid microviscosity in rat brain induced by age and a plant oil mixture

Among biochemical changes observed during aging, the composition of lipids in the brain exhibits major changes, e.g. an increased mole ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids. These and other changes contribute to a lowered membrane lipid fluidity and fluidity-related functions. The authors detected an oil fraction, unsaturated fatty acids and coded Membrane Modulating Lipid (MML) which modified in vitro the relative composition of plant protoplast membrane constituents. In the present study they investigated in vivo effects on MML on the cholesterol and phospholipid levels in rat brain and their membrane lipid microviscosities.