Search results for "layer"

Inhibition of leukocyte functions by the alkaloid isaindigotone from Isatis indigotica and some new synthetic derivatives.

2001

The alkaloid isaindigotone (1a) and seven derivatives have been synthesized to study their influence on several leukocyte functions and the generation of inflammatory mediators. Isaindigotone (1a) was found to be a scavenger of superoxide generated either by the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system or stimulated human neutrophils. Isaindigotone (1a) and its acetylated derivative (1b) also inhibited 5-lipoxygenase activity and leukotriene B(4) production in these cells, whereas none of the compounds affected degranulation. In RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, synthetic derivatives exerted higher inhibitory effects on prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) g…

Transmission electron microscopical studies on some haemolymph proteins from the marine polychaete Nereis virens.

2001

Abstract The hexagonal bilayer haemoglobin molecule from Nereis virens has been investigated in a comparative study using several different negative stain electron microscopical specimen preparations (i.e. by conventional adsorption to continuous carbon support films, by the negative staining-carbon film technique and by negative staining across the holes of holey carbon support films with air-drying and rapid freezing/cryo-negative staining). The benefits and limitations of these different approaches are indicated, with the overall conclusion that negative staining with ammonium molybdate across holes creates the best possibilities for molecular imaging, and also has the potential for the …

Two-step impact of Amphotericin B (AmB) on lipid membranes: ESR experiment and computer simulations.

2013

In this study, the electron spin resonance (ESR) method was used to examine the effect of Amphotericin B (AmB) molecules on the fluidity of model membranes made of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). The changes occurring under increased AmB concentrations in the spectroscopic parameters of spin probes placed in liposomes were determined. Three probes were used, penetrating the membrane at different depths which allowed the changes in its fluidity to be found in the transverse section. A computer model of the surface layer of membrane, with AmB admixture, was developed and subjected to computer simulation. The effect of changing concentration of the admixture on the binding energy in the…

Interaction of Quinine with Model Lipid Membranes of Different Compositions

2002

The binding of a drug such as Quinine with neutral and negatively charged small unilamellar lipid vesicles at pH 7 and 37 degrees C was investigated. Changes in the fluorescence properties of the drug after association with the liposomes were used to obtain binding isotherms over a range of phospholipid compositions at different ionic strengths. Under such conditions, the association was strongly enhanced by the negative net charge of the bilayer but diminished by the increasing presence of electrolytes in the aqueous media. Binding data were analyzed in terms of a surface partition equilibrium without and after correcting for electrostatic effects by means of the Gouy-Chapman theory. The i…

1982

1982

Geometric and thermodynamic considerations about the lipid vesicles formation in water (I. Unilamellar vesicles)

2001

Abstract A parametrization based on the differential geometry and on the thermodynamics of dispersed systems has been developed in order to explain the processes leading to the formation of lipid vesicles in water. Several factors of known importance such as aqueous interlayer, chain-length, lipid chain-packing and membrane asymmetry, as well as the existence of two different surfaces in the vesicular bilayer have been considered. The barrier which amphiphile molecules need to surpass in order to the vesicle be formed has three contributions related to the surface energy, the mechanical energy due to overpressure and the excess of chemical potential. The theoretical results define the condi…

Polysialic acid can mediate membrane interactions by interacting with phospholipids

2009

Polysialic acid (polySia) is expressed on the surface of neural cells, neuroinvasive bacterial cells and several tumor cells. PolySia chains attached to NCAM can influence both trans interactions between membranes of two cells and cis interactions. Here, we report on the involvement of phospholipids in regulation of membrane interactions by polySia. The pH at the surface of liposomes, specific molecular area of phosphatidylcholine molecules, phase transition of DPPC bilayers, cyclic voltammograms of BLMs, and electron micrographs of phosphatidylcholine vesicles were studied after addition of polysialic acid free in solution. The results indicate that polySia chains can associate with phosph…

The impact of humic and fulvic acids on the dynamic properties of liposome membranes: the ESR method

2013

This paper presents the results of research on the influence of two fractions of humic substances (HS): fulvic acids (FA) and humic acids (HA), as a function of concentration, on the liposome membranes formed from egg yolk lecithin (EYL). The concentration of HS in relation to EYL changed from 0% to 10% by weight. The influence of HS on various areas of membranes: interphase water-lipid, in the lipid layer just below the polar part of the membrane and in the middle of the lipid bilayer, was investigated by different spin labels (TEMPO, DOXYL 5, DOXYL 16). The study showed that HA slightly decreased the fluidity of the analyzed membranes on the surface layer, while FA significantly liquidate…

Effect of pH on the transfer kinetics of an anti-inflammatory drug from polyaspartamide hydrogels to a lipid model membrane

1997

Abstract The release of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), 4-biphenylacetic acid (BPAA), from α,β-poly( N -hydroxyethyl)- dl -aspartamide (PHEA) hydrogels was tested at different pHs (4 and 7.4) by measuring the drug transfer from loaded hydrogel to dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes (multilamellar vesicles, MLV), chosen as a biomembrane model. This drug transfer was compared with the transfer from powdered drug and with drug classical. The perturbing effect of pure BPAA on the thermotropic behaviour of DMPC liposomes, in terms of transition temperature shift (Δ T m ) and enthalpy changes (Δ H ), was analysed at different pHs (4 and 7.4) by differential scanning cal…