Minimal surface tension, squeeze-out and transition temperatures of binary mixtures of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine...

Fluorescence polarization (FP) measurements and surface tension (ST) experiments were performed to determine the gel-to-liquid-crystal transition or melting temperature of phospholipid mixtures. The FP-temperature diagrams showed main transition temperatures of 41 degrees C for dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). The 7:3 and 9:1 binary mixtures of DPPC and phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) had main transition temperatures of, respectively, 32-36 degrees C and 37-39 degrees C. The minimal surface tension of DPPC monolayers increased rapidly at 40 degrees C, suggesting that this was the transition temperature for the melting of these monolayers. This value was in close accordance with the main transition temperature of DPPC, observed with the fluorescence polarization measurements. Melting temperatures of monolayers were higher for almost all mixtures than the temperatures at which the transition started, indicating preferential squeeze out of the unsaturated component and enrichment of the monolayer with DPPC. However, neither the 7:3 DPPC/PC nor the DPPC/PG mixtures could withstand high surface pressures at temperatures above 30 degrees C, whereas monolayers of DPPC/PG (9:1) became fluid at temperatures above 35 degrees C. Preferential squeeze-out of the unsaturated phospholipid was especially effective in both the 7:3 and 9:1 DPPC/PI mixtures. These monolayers started to melt at 39-40 degrees C, which is above their main transition temperatures of, respectively, 32 and 37 degrees C, and which approximate the melting temperature of DPPC. Preferential squeeze-out is essential for an artificial lung surfactant. The estimation of this phenomenon by determining the monolayer melting temperatures is therefore useful for distinguishing between mixtures which are effective surfactants at body temperature and those which are less effective.