Effect of lidocaine on phospholipid and fatty acid composition of bacterial membranes

Abstract

The effects of lidocaine on chemical composition of membrane phospholipids and membrane fluidity of Streptococcus mutans have been studied. Increasing concentra‐tions of lidocaine induced both an increase in cardiolipin and a decrease in the degree of unsaturation of its fatty acid composition. A lidocaine‐dependent decrease of membrane fluidity was observed from an electron spin resonance spectroscopic study. It was considered thal bacteria grown with lidocaine below its minimum inhibitory concentration resisted the effect of the drug by modifying phospholipid and fatty acid composition resulting in a decreased membrane fluidity.