The cytotoxicity of linoleic acid on lens epithelial cells of the eye was yet shown in our previous works. The aim of this works is to investigate whether the cytotoxicity of this substance is dependent on a damage to the Na,K-ATPase of the plasma membrane. By means of cytotoxicity tests (the cells detachment test and the neutral red test) the cell damaging effects of linoleic acid could be demonstrated at 10 µmol/l. However, at this concentration of linoleic acid the activity of the Na,K-ATPase was inhibited by 40 % (in purified fractions of the plasma membrane). The membrane transport of sodium was investigated in intact cells using the fluorescent dye SBFI. Linoleic acid increased the passive transport of sodium in a concentration dependent manner, but the active sodium transport, carried on by the Na,K-ATPase, was probably not altered by linoleic acid. The results allow the conclusion, that the cell damaging effects of linoleic acid are not involved in an altering of the activity and the function of the Na,K-ATPase. The cytotoxicity of linoleic acid on lens epithelial cells of the eye was yet shown in our previous works. The aim of this works is to investigate whether the cytotoxicity of this substance is dependent on a damage to the Na,K-ATPase of the plasma membrane. By means of cytotoxicity tests (the cells adtachment test and the neutral red test) the cell damaging effects of linoleic acid could be demonstrated at 10 µmol/l. However, at this concentration of linoleic acid the activity of the Na,K-ATPase was inhibited by 40 % (in purified fractions of the plasma membrane). The membrane transport of sodium was investigated in intact cells using the fluorescent dye SBFI. Linoleic acid increased the passive transport of sodium in a concentration dependent manner, but the active sodium transport, carried on by the Na,K-ATPase, was probably not altered by linoleic acid. The results allow the conclusion, that the cell damaging effects of linoleic acid are not involved in an altering of the activity and the function of the Na,K-ATPase. |