[The interaction of alpha-tocopherol with phospholipid liposomes: the absence of transbilayer mobility]

The interaction of alpha-tocopherol with liposomes obtained from saturated and unsaturated phospholipids and the rate of its flip-flop were studied using fluorescent technique. It was found that the amount of alpha-tocopherol introduced into outer and inner monolayers remained unchanged for many hours. No migration from the outer to the inner monolayers and vice versa was observed. The effect did not depend on the fatty acid phospholipid composition. The results obtained are considered in view of the optimal conditions of membrane tissue saturation with liposome-incorporated tocopherol.