Adaptive changes of membrane lipid composition in humans living in the north.

Some parameters of red cell membrane lipid composition as well as intensiveness of lipid peroxidation and activity of its regulatory factors were assessed in northern aborigines, newcomers and alcohol abusers. It is proposed that the increased lipid peroxidation is responsible for the cholesterol and monoenic fatty acid accumulation in membranes of all groups studied. The data obtained make it possible to consider the lipid peroxidation as a mechanism for adaptive membrane lipid modification in humans.