Interaction of alpha-tocopherol with fatty acids in membranes and ethanol

The techniques of fluorescence polarization, ultraviolet light absorbance and fluorescence quenching by acrylamide are used to probe the structural role of alpha-tocopherol in phospholipid bilayers. Using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and a series of (anthroyloxy)stearic acid (AS) fluorescence probes, alpha-tocopherol is shown to increase fluidity and decrease order of gel state bilayers, and to decrease fluidity and increase order of bilayers in the liquid crystalline state. More complex behavior is noted for bilayers made from mixed acyl chain phosphatidylcholines (PCs) where the sn-1 position is saturated and the sn-2 position unsaturated compared to bilayers composed of PCs where both acyl chains are either saturated or unsaturated. Complexation between alpha-tocopherol and either free fatty acids or fatty acids esterified to the sn-2 position of PCs is indicated by ultraviolet light absorbance in both organic solution and in lipid bilayers. The strength of the complexes, expressed as interaction constants, are dependent upon the number of acyl chain unsaturations from 0 (stearic acid), to 6 (docosahexaenoic acid). Relation of the strength of these complexes to the degree of acyl chain unsaturation is confirmed by monitoring the fatty acid protection from acrylamide bleaching of alpha-tocopherol. These experiments suggest that the extent of acrylamide bleaching is related to the extent of association with the fatty acids.