Damage to the DPPC Membrane Induced by Shock Waves: Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
Xiao-Feng Wang1, Gang Tao1, Peng Wen1
1School of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|October 29, 2020
Summary
Shock waves can impact biomedical membranes, causing damage that depends on impulse intensity. Membrane damage is recoverable at lower impulses but permanent at higher ones, showing potential for controlled applications.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Shock waves offer promising biomedical applications.
- Excessive shock wave intensity can damage biological tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate shock wave-induced damage in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine membranes.
- To understand the recovery dynamics of these membranes after shock wave impact.
Main Methods:
- Utilized all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.
- Analyzed membrane disorder, folding, and water molecule distribution.
- Characterized membrane strain and recovery stages.
Main Results:
- Increased impulse led to greater membrane disorder and severe folding.
- Damage was recoverable below 127 mPa s impulse, but not above 153 mPa s.
- Maximum membrane strain increased linearly with impulse, reaching 0.34 at 153 mPa s.
Conclusions:
- Membrane response to shock waves involves distinct shock, recovery, and aftereffect stages.
- A critical impulse threshold exists for irreversible membrane damage.
- All simulated membranes eventually recovered after shock, suggesting potential for controlled shock wave therapies.
