Effect of fatty acids and monoglycerides on permeability of lipid bilayer

The effect of fatty acids and monoglycerides on barrier properties of liposomal membranes prepared from egg phosphatidylcholine was investigated. The incorporation of these lipids as liposomal membrane components induced the alteration of the permeability to less permeable liposomally entrapped drugs, sulfanilic acid and procainamide ethobromide (PAEB). Monoolein caused greatly increased permeability of both drugs and unsaturated fatty acids markedly enhanced the release rate of PAEB, while saturated fatty acids caused a small increase in the release rate. Electron spin resonance (ESR) investigation with 5-nitroxide stearic acid showed that fatty acids disordered the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer and the disordering effect of unsaturated fatty acids was greater than that of saturated ones. It was demonstrated that the incorporated fatty acids and monoglycerides interacted with the polar region of the membranes by ESR study with cholestane label and 1H-NMR study. These results indicated that the increase in the membrane permeability caused by fatty acids and monoglycerides associated with the disorder in the membranes' interior and the interaction of the incorporated lipid with the polar head group of phospholipid.