Bicellar systems as modifiers of skin lipid structure

Evaluation of Molecular Ordering in Bicelle Bilayer Membranes Based on Induced Circular Dichroism Spectra

Bicelles are submicrometer-sized disc-shaped molecular self-assemblies that can be obtained in aqueous solution by dispersing mixtures of certain amphiphiles. Although phospholipid bicelle and phospholipid vesicle assemblies adopt similar lipid bilayer structures, the differences in bilayer characteristics, especially physicochemical properties such as bilayer fluidity, are not clearly understood. Herein, we report the lipid ordering properties of bicelle bilayer membranes based on induced circular dichroism (ICD) and fluorescence polarization analyses using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as a probe. Bicelles were prepared by using 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC), while pure DMPC vesicles and pure DHPC micelles were used as references. At temperatures below the phase transition temperature of DMPC, the bicelles showed lower membrane fluidities, whereas DHPC micelles showed higher membrane fluidity, suggesting no significant differences in bilayer fluidity between the bicelle and vesicle assemblies. The ICD signals of DPH were induced only when the membrane was in ordered (solid-ordered or ripple-gel) phases. In the bicelle systems, the ICD of DPH was more significant than that of the DMPC vesicle. The induced chirality of DPH was dependent on the chirality of the bilayer lipid. Compared to that of the DMPC/DHPC bicelle, the ICD of the 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/DHPC bicelle was higher, while that of the bovine sphingomyelin/DHPC bicelle was lower. Because the lipids are tightly packed in the ordered phase, the ICD intensity reflects the molecular ordering state of the lipids in the bicelle bilayer.

Vesicular nanostructures composed of oleic acid and phosphatidylcholine: Effect of pH and molar ratio

Phospholipids and fatty acids are the main building blocks of biological membranes. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid commonly found in many natural sources. Its characteristic kinked structure grants this molecule with a great number of biological properties. To better understand the role that this kind of fatty acids play into phospholipid membranes, nanostructured systems formed with hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine and oleic acid were studied in this work by means of cryo-electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. Differences concerning size, morphology and phase behavior were found when those systems were prepared at different conditions of pH and molar ratio between both compounds. Broadly, it was seen how alkaline mediums and high proportions of oleic acid reduced the size of the structures and increased the fluidity of the membranes. The ease of preparation of these lipid systems, and the response to pH suggests a future use of these systems as model membranes or delivery systems.

Reducing the Harmful Effects of Infrared Radiation on the Skin Using Bicosomes Incorporating β-Carotene

AIM

In this work the effect of infrared (IR) radiation, at temperatures between 25 and 30°C, on the formation of free radicals (FRs) in the skin is studied. Additionally, the influence of IR radiation at high temperatures in the degradation of skin collagen is evaluated. In both experiments the protective effect against IR radiation of phospholipid nanostructures (bicosomes) incorporating β-carotene (Bcb) is also evaluated.

METHODS

The formation of FRs in skin under IR exposure was measured near physiological temperatures (25-30°C) using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide spin trap and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The study of the collagen structure was performed by small-angle X-ray scattering using synchrotron radiation.

RESULTS

EPR results showed an increase in the hydroxyl radical in the irradiated skin compared to the native skin. The skin collagen was degraded by IR exposure at high temperatures of approximately 65°C. The treatment with Bcb reduced the formation of FRs and kept the structure of collagen.

CONCLUSIONS

The formation of FRs by IR radiation does not depend on the increase of skin temperature. The decrease of FRs and the preservation of collagen fibers in the skin treated with Bcb indicate the potential of this lipid system to protect skin under IR exposure.

Monitoring bicosomes containing antioxidants in normal and irradiated skin

Monitoring penetration of bicosomes containing antioxidants into normal and irradiated skin by FTIR.

Hybrid bicelles as a pH-sensitive nanocarrier for hydrophobic drug delivery

Stabilized disc-like hybrid bicelles provide pH-sensitive release, preferable cellular uptake, tumor accumulation and therapeutic effect in vitro and in vivo.

A rhenium tris-carbonyl derivative as a model molecule for incorporation into phospholipid assemblies for skin applications

A rhenium tris-carbonyl derivative (fac-[Re(CO)3Cl(2-(1-dodecyl-1H-1,2,3,triazol-4-yl)-pyridine)]) was incorporated into phospholipid assemblies, called bicosomes, and the penetration of this molecule into skin was monitored using Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR). To evaluate the capacity of bicosomes to promote the penetration of this derivative, the skin penetration of the Re(CO)3 derivative dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a typical enhancer, was also studied. Dynamic light scattering results (DLS) showed an increase in the size of the bicosomes with the incorporation of the Re(CO)3 derivative, and the FTIR microspectroscopy showed that the Re(CO)3 derivative incorporated in bicosomes penetrated deeper into the skin than when dissolved in DMSO. When this molecule was applied on the skin using the bicosomes, 60% of the Re(CO)3 derivative was retained in the stratum corneum (SC) and 40% reached the epidermis (Epi). Otherwise, the application of this molecule via DMSO resulted in 95% of the Re(CO)3 derivative being in the SC and only 5% reaching the Epi. Using a Re(CO)3 derivative with a dodecyl-chain as a model molecule, it was possible to determine the distribution of molecules with similar physicochemical characteristics in the skin using bicosomes. This fact makes these nanostructures promising vehicles for the application of lipophilic molecules inside the skin.