THE DUAL EFFECT OF OXIDATION ON LIPID BILAYER STRUCTURE

Sphingomyelin membranes were prepared with different levels of oxidative damage caused by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH). Temperature-induced changes in membrane hydrocarbon chain packing (phase transitions) were monitored using infrared spectroscopy. Lipid phase transition characteristics were evaluated from thermodynamic parameters fitted to the experimental transition curve data. At temperatures below the lipid phase transition T(c), hydrocarbon chains pack in an ordered state whereas above the T(c), the hydrocarbon chains pack in a disordered state. Compared to the non-oxidized control, the packing of the hydrocarbon chains of mildly oxidized sphingomyelin (<10 nmol TBH/mg lipid) was no different at all temperatures below the T(c), and was more ordered above the T(c). The hydrocarbon chains of strongly oxidized sphingomyelin (>10 nmol TBH/mg lipid) were more disordered at temperatures above and below the T(c), compared to the control samples. These results suggest that lipid oxidation has a dual effect on lipid order. A more ordered or disordered state may result depending on the degree of oxidation and the state of lipid order prior to oxidation. These results could be important for explaining the structural changes in oxidized membranes high in sphingomyelin such as those found in the ocular lens and liver plasma membranes.