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Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system associated with increased oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial alterations. Fish oil consumption has neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in patients with relapsing-recurrent MS (RR-MS). Objective: To evaluate changes in the hydrolytic activity of ATP synthase and mitochondrial membrane fluidity in patients with RR-MS who receive fish oil or olive oil as a dietary supplement. Methods: Clinical, controlled, randomized, double-blind trial. Patients consumed fish oil or olive oil for one year. The hydrolytic activity of ATPase and the fluidity of the mitochondrial membrane of platelets were quantified. Results: In patients with RR-MS, a decrease in the fluidity of mitochondrial membranes and an increase in the hydrolytic activity of ATP synthase was observed in comparison with healthy controls. After 6 or 9 months of treatment with fish oil or olive oil, respectively, these values were normalized. Conclusion: The consumption of fish oil and olive oil increases the fluidity of the mitochondrial membranes and decreases the catabolic activity of ATP synthase in platelets from patients with RR-MS.

Background Karwinskia humboldtiana (Kh) is a poisonous plant of the rhamnacea family. To elucidate some of the subcellular effects of Kh toxicity, membrane fluidity and ATPase activities as hydrolytic and as proton-pumping activity were assessed in rat liver submitochondrial particles. Rats were randomly assigned into control non-treated group and groups that received 1, 1.5 and 2 g/Kg body weight of dry powder of Kh fruit, respectively. Rats were euthanized at day 1 and 7 after treatment. Results Rats under Kh treatment at all dose levels tested, does not developed any neurologic symptoms. However, we detected alterations in membrane fluidity and ATPase activity. Lower dose of Kh on day 1 after treatment induced higher mitochondrial membrane fluidity than control group. This change was strongly correlated with increased ATPase activity and pH gradient driven by ATP hydrolysis. On the other hand, membrane fluidity was hardly affected on day 7 after treatment with Kh. Surprisingly, the pH gradient driven by ATPase activity was significantly higher than controls despite an diminution of the hydrolytic activity of ATPase. Conclusions The changes in ATPase activity and pH gradient driven by ATPase activity suggest an adaptive condition whereby the fluidity of the membrane is altered.