Transbilayer distribution of aminophospholipids and the oxidative stability of their component polyunsaturated fatty acids

We examined the relationship between the transbilayer distribution of aminophospholipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), PE plasmalogen and phosphatidylserine, and the oxidative stability of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the aminophospholipids. To modulate the transbilayer distribution of aminophospholipid in liposomes, we used phosphatidylcholine (PC) with two types of acyl chain region: dipalmitoyl (PC16:0) or dioleoyl (PC18:1). In the smaller-sized liposomes, the proportions of aminophospholipid in the liposomal external layer were significantly higher in liposomes containing PC18:1 than in those containing PC16:0. Additionally, aminophospholipids in the external layer of smaller-sized liposomes were able to protect their component PUFAs from 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride-mediated lipid peroxidation.