In the present study we focus on the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on sphingomyelin (SM) model membranes composed by a binary mixture of a natural SM extract from porcine brain (BSM), and cholesterol (Chol). We compare the BSM properties with those of another natural SM extract from egg yolk (ESM), mainly palmitoyl-SM, in order to follow the effects of lipid heterogeneity on thermotropic and packing properties of model membranes. With respect to ESM, BSM accounts for a higher contribution of gauche conformers and a higher disorder as a consequence of the significant variability of acyl chain length and unsaturation degree. The ability to form a packed and ordered bilayer is extremely important for the stability and the permeability of SM-Chol membranes. DMSO is extensively employed in a range of biological and pharmaceutical application that include drug delivery and cryopreservation. DMSO affects hydration, structure and other physical properties of the membrane and, at relatively high concentrations, is known to enhance their drug permeability. This work helps on increasing the basic knowledge of the effect of DMSO on the structural properties of lipid vesicles that mime natural membranes and can also provide useful information to their use as drug carriers.
Impact of dimethyl sulfoxide and natural lipid heterogeneity on the structural properties of sphingomyelin membranes
B. Gironi;M. Paolantoni;A. Nicoziani;A. Morresi;P. Sassi
2020
Abstract
In the present study we focus on the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on sphingomyelin (SM) model membranes composed by a binary mixture of a natural SM extract from porcine brain (BSM), and cholesterol (Chol). We compare the BSM properties with those of another natural SM extract from egg yolk (ESM), mainly palmitoyl-SM, in order to follow the effects of lipid heterogeneity on thermotropic and packing properties of model membranes. With respect to ESM, BSM accounts for a higher contribution of gauche conformers and a higher disorder as a consequence of the significant variability of acyl chain length and unsaturation degree. The ability to form a packed and ordered bilayer is extremely important for the stability and the permeability of SM-Chol membranes. DMSO is extensively employed in a range of biological and pharmaceutical application that include drug delivery and cryopreservation. DMSO affects hydration, structure and other physical properties of the membrane and, at relatively high concentrations, is known to enhance their drug permeability. This work helps on increasing the basic knowledge of the effect of DMSO on the structural properties of lipid vesicles that mime natural membranes and can also provide useful information to their use as drug carriers.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
