Encapsulation of drugs by lyophilized empty dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes: effect of calcium ion

The effects of divalent cation (Ca2+) on the characteristics of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes regenerated from lyophilized empty liposomes by rehydration and warming were investigated. The results showed that the volume (ml) of internal aqueous compartment per g lipid (captured volume; Vcap) has a maximum at a certain concentration range of calcium chloride and the maximal value is more than ten times the minimal value. This phenomenon can be explained by considering that binding of Ca2+ to phosphate groups in DPPC molecules induces an increase in the distance (r) between adjacent bilayer membranes in multilamellar liposomes through electrostatic force and causes an increase in Vcap. The dynamic properties of lyophilized liposomes in the rehydration process were examined using a multilamellar vesicle model. The results of simulation suggested that a repulsive force induced between the adjacent bilayer membranes causes rearrangement of the constituent lipid molecules in a liposome followed by an increase in the distance r, a decrease in the internal lamellar number, a smaller increase in liposome size and finally a significant increase in Vcap.