The modulation of membrane fluidity by hydrogenation processes. IV. Homogenous catalysis of liposomes using a...

A water-soluble homogeneous catalyst has been applied to the hydrogenation of the double bonds within phospholipid liposomes in water. When the catalyst is added to an aqueous system, containing liposomes of unsaturated phospholipids, it partitions between the water and the liposomes. The structure of the liposomes as indicated by electron microscopy is not affected at low concentrations of the catalyst. The permeability properties of the liposomes are also unaffected. In the presence of hydrogen gas the unsaturated bonds of the lipids are readily hydrogenated. Potential applications of water-soluble homogeneous catalysts using liposome systems are described.