Partitioning of local anesthetics into membranes: surface charge effects monitored by the phospholipid head-group

The binding of the charged form of two local anesthetics, dibucaine and etidocaine, to bilayers composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) was measured simultaneously with ultraviolet spectroscopy and deuterium magnetic resonance. Because of their amphiphilic molecular structure, both drugs intercalate between the lipid molecules, increasing the surface area and imparting a positive electric charge onto the membrane. The ultraviolet (UV) binding isotherms were therefore analyzed in terms of a model which specifically took into account the bilayer expansion as well as the charge-induced concentration variations near the membrane surface. By formulating a quantitative expression for the change in surface area upon drug intercalation and combining it with the Gouy-Chapman theory, the binding of charged dibucaine and etidocaine to the lipid membrane was best described by a partition equilibrium, with surface partition coefficients of 660 +/- 80 M-1 and 11 +/- 2 M-1 for dibucaine and etidocaine, respectively (pH 5.5, 0.1 M NaCl/50 mM buffer). Deuterium magnetic resonance demonstrated further that the binding of drug changed the head-group conformation of the lipid molecules. Invoking the intercalation model, a linear variation of the deuterium quadrupole splittings of the choline segments with the surface charge density was observed, suggesting that the phosphocholine head-group may act as a 'molecular electrometer' with respect to surface charges.     

Effects of local anesthetics on membrane properties I. Changes in the fluidity of phospholipid bilayers

The effect of the local anesthetic dibucaine on the solid to liquid-crystalline phase transition in phospholipid vesicles was studied by calorimetry and fluorescence polarization. The partition coefficient (> 3000) of dibucaine in the membranes of vesicles prepared from acidic phospholipids was more than 20 times higher than in neutral phospholipid membranes under the same conditions. Calorimetric measurements on vesicles prepared form acidic phospholipids (bovine brain phosphatidylserine; dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol) showed that dibucaine (1 · 10⁻⁴M) produced a significant reduction in the gel-liquid crystalline transition temperature (T_c). This fluidizing effect of dibucaine on acidic phospholipid membranes was even more marked in the presence of Ca²⁺. In contrast, dibucaine at the same concentration did not alter the T_c of neutral phospholipids (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine). Significant increase in the fluidity of neutral phospholipid membranes occurred only at higher dibucaine concentrations (2 · 10⁻³M. Measurements of the fluorescence polarization and lifetime of the probe, 1,6-diphenylhexatriene, in acidic phospholipid vesicles revealed that dibucaine (1 · 10⁻⁴M caused an increase in the probe rotation rate indicating an increase in the fluidity of the phospholipid membranes. A good correlation was obtained between fluorescence polarization data on dibucaine-induced changes in membrane fluidity and calorimetric measurements on vesicles of the same type.     

Adsorption of local anesthetics on phospholipid membranes

The subcellular distribution in rat liver of non-latent and latent NADH pyrophosphatase was determined by analytical sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Non-latent NADH pyrophosphatase activity was distributed similarly to the plasma membrane marker, 5'-nucleotidase. However, latent NADH pyrophosphatase was found at the low density region of the gradient, similar to the distribution of galactosyl transferase, a Golgi marker. A population of membranes, corresponding to those from the low density region, was prepared by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. Radiolabelled insulin was used, to monitor the involvement of these membranes in ligand internalization. The membrane perturbant, digitonin, was used to effect a partial separation between membranes bearing NADH pyrophosphatase and those bearing galactosyl transferase. The mechanism by which this separation is effected has been investigated and it was shown that, although digitonin caused a loss of enzyme latency, the density shift was not due to this effect. The partially purified ligandosome-rich fraction was characterized by enzymic and ultrastructural analysis. A novel EM cytochemical stain for NADH pyrophosphatase identified a vesicular fraction distinct from Golgi lamellae.     

Interaction of local anesthetics with lipid bilayers investigated by 1H MAS NMR spectroscopy

The membrane location of the local anesthetics (LA) lidocaine, dibucaine, tetracaine, and procaine hydrochloride as well as their influence on phospholipid bilayers were studied by ³¹P and ¹H magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. The ³¹P NMR spectra of the LA/lipid preparations confirmed that the overall bilayer structure of the membrane remained preserved. The relation between the molecular structure of the LAs and their membrane localization and orientation was investigated quantitatively using induced chemical shifts, nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy, and paramagnetic relaxation rates. All three methods revealed an average location of the aromatic rings of all LAs in the lipid-water interface of the membrane, with small differences between the individual LAs depending on their molecular properties. While lidocaine is placed in the upper chain/glycerol region of the membrane, for dibucaine and procaine the maximum of the distribution are slightly shifted into the glycerol region. Finally for tetracaine the aromatic ring is placed closest to the aqueous phase in the glycerol/headgroup region of the membrane. The hydrophobic side chains of the LA molecules dibucaine and tetracaine were located deeper in the membrane and showed an orientation towards the hydrocarbon core. In contrast the side chains of lidocaine and procaine are oriented towards the aqueous phase.     

Effects of local anesthetics on membrane properties. I. Changes in the fluidity of phospholipid bilayers.

The effect of the local anesthetic dibucaine on the solid to liquid-crystalline phase transition in phospholipid vesicles was studied by calorimetry and fluorescence polarization. The partition coefficient (greater than 3000) of dibucaine in the membranes of vesicles prepared from acidic phospholipids was more than 20 times higher than in neutral phospholipid membranes under the same conditions. Calorimetric measurements on vesicles prepared form acidic phospholipids (bovine brain phosphatidylserine; dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol) showed that dibucaine (1 with 10(-4) M) produced a significant reduction in the gel-liquid crystalline transition temperature (Tc). This fluidizing effect of dibucaine on acidic phospholipid membranes was even more marked in the presence of Ca2+. In contrast, dibucaine at the same concentration did not alter the Tc of neutral phospholipids (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine). Significant increase in the fluidity of neutral phospholipid membranes occurred only at higher dibucaine concentrations (2 with 10(-3) M). Measurements of the fluorescence polarization and lifetime of the probe, 1,6-diphenylhexatriene, in acidic phospholipid vesicles revealed that dibucaine (1 with 10(-4) M) caused an increase in the probe rotation rate indicating an increase in the fluidity of the phospholipid membranes. A good correlation was obtained between fluorescence polarization data on dibucaine-induced changes in membrane fluidity and calorimetric measurements on vesicles of the same type.     

Quasielastic neutron scattering measurements of fast local translational diffusion of lipid molecules in phospholipid bilayers

Quasielastic incoherent neutron scattering has been used to investigate the rate of local translational diffusion of lipid molecules in phospholipid bilayers of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine. The measured translational diffusion constants (4 x 10(-10) m2 s-1 at 63 degrees C and 1.4 x 10(-11) m2 s-1 at 30 degrees C) are considerably faster than those deduced using other less direct methods, but are in agreement with those measured in soap-water lyotropic liquid crystals, and with calculated values. This disagreement is attributed to differences in the time and distance scales characterising the various measurements. Quasielastic neutron scattering experiments observe fast motions over molecular distances, whereas other methods tend to measure a rate of diffusion which is averaged over macroscopic distances, and may thus contain contributions from long distance slow diffusive motions such as diffusion between the bilayers.     

Modulation of phospholipid transfer protein activity. Inhibition by local anesthetics

The transfer of phospholipid molecules between biological and synthetic membranes is facilitated by the presence of soluble catalytic proteins, such as those isolated from bovine brain which interacts with phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine and from bovine liver which is specific for phosphatidylcholine. A series of tertiary amine local anesthetics decreases the rates of protein-catalyzed phospholipid transfer. The potency of inhibition is dibucaine>tetracaine>lidocaine>procaine, an order which is compared with and identical to those for a wide variety of anesthetic-dependent membrane phenomena. Half-maximal inhibition of phosphatidylinositol transfer by dibucaine occurs at a concentration of 0.18 mM, significantly lower than the concentration of 1.9 mM required for half-maximal inhibition of phosphatidylcholine transfer activity of the brain protein. Comparable inhibition of liver protein phosphatidylcholine transfer activity is observed at 1.6 mM dibucaine. For activity measurements performed at different pH, dibucaine is more potent at the lower pH values which favor the equilibrium toward the charged molecular species. With membranes containing increasing molar proportions of phosphatidate, dibucaine is increasingly more potent. No effect of Ca²⁺ on the control transfer activity or the inhibitory action of dibucaine is noted. These results are discussed in terms of the formation of specific phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidylcholine complexes with the amphiphilic anesthetics in the membrane bilayer.     

Interaction of local anesthetics with lipid bilayers investigated by (1)H MAS NMR spectroscopy

The membrane location of the local anesthetics (LA) lidocaine, dibucaine, tetracaine, and procaine hydrochloride as well as their influence on phospholipid bilayers were studied by (31)P and (1)H magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. The (31)P NMR spectra of the LA/lipid preparations confirmed that the overall bilayer structure of the membrane remained preserved. The relation between the molecular structure of the LAs and their membrane localization and orientation was investigated quantitatively using induced chemical shifts, nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy, and paramagnetic relaxation rates. All three methods revealed an average location of the aromatic rings of all LAs in the lipid-water interface of the membrane, with small differences between the individual LAs depending on their molecular properties. While lidocaine is placed in the upper chain/glycerol region of the membrane, for dibucaine and procaine the maximum of the distribution are slightly shifted into the glycerol region. Finally for tetracaine the aromatic ring is placed closest to the aqueous phase in the glycerol/headgroup region of the membrane. The hydrophobic side chains of the LA molecules dibucaine and tetracaine were located deeper in the membrane and showed an orientation towards the hydrocarbon core. In contrast the side chains of lidocaine and procaine are oriented towards the aqueous phase.     

Effects of unsaturation on 2H-NMR quadrupole splittings and 13C-NMR relaxation in phospholipid bilayers

Motional order and motional rates in unsonicated phospholipid bilayers were assessed as a function of unsaturation of the phospholipid. A measurement sensitive to motional order was obtained using 2H-NMR of 18:1, 18:1-phosphatidylcholine labelled at positions 9 and 10 with deuterium and included as a probe in phospholipid bilayers of interest at 10 mole percent. Spin lattice relaxation times from magic angle spinning 13C-NMR spectra of phospholipid dispersions of interest were used as a measure of motional rates. Measurements were made of phospholipid bilayers containing from 0 to 8 double bonds per molecule. No large effect of an increase in unsaturation was noted for the 2H-NMR quadrupole splittings or for the 13C-NMR spin lattice relaxation rate.     

ACTH binding to phospholipid bilayers: A 1H-NMR study of the 5-14, 1-14, and 1-24 derivatives

The interaction of the 5-14, 1-14, and 1-24 fragments of ACTH with sonicated phospholipid bilayers containing egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EPC) either pure or mixed with 10 mole % phosphatidic acid (EPA), was investigated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-nmr). The effects observed with zwitterionic EPC vesicles were small, indicating a low binding of the ACTH derivatives. The N-terminal aromatic resonances of the ACTH peptides were markedly broadened in the presence of negatively charged vesicles (EPC/EPA 9:1 M/M), while those of the C-terminal end were barely affected, showing that ACTH interacts with its N-terminal fragment. The choline resonance of the EPC molecules of the outer monolayer was shifted and broadened upon ACTH binding to the lipid vesicles, while that of the inner layer was not affected, suggesting that the peptide molecules interact only with the external leaflet of the lipid bilayer. The C²H and C⁴H resonances of the histidine-6 side chain were both shifted downfield upon peptide binding to the negatively charged lipid interface. In the case of the 1–24 derivative, these resonances were also split into two signals reflecting two different species of membrane-bound ACTH 1–24. Analysis of the line width and chemical shift variations of the ACTH and lipid resonances observed upon peptide binding shows that the membrane-binding potency of the shorter 5–14⁺¹ fragment, which presents a +1 net charge, is roughly similar to that of the highly cationic 1–24⁺⁶ (net charge +6) derivative, implying that the 15–24⁺⁵ segment is not essential for membrane binding. The nmr measurements at a fixed lipid-to-peptide ratio in the presence of increasing amounts of spin-labeled lipids demonstrate that the N-terminal fragment of ACTH does not penetrate the hydrophobic core of the bilayer, and should lie parallel to the membrane surface. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 42: 731–744, 1997     

Differential interactions of two local anesthetics with phospholipid membrane and nonerythroid spectrin: Localization in presence of cholesterol and ganglioside,GM1

Interactions of two local anesthetics, dibucaine and tetracaine have been studied with phospholipid vesicles containing cholesterol and/or monosialogangliosides (GM₁) using fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence intensity of tetracaine showed a marked increase with the increasing molar ratio of the phospholipid to tetracaine, while that of dibucaine showed opposite effects. Steady state anisotropy and the wavelength of maximum emission (λ_max) decreased with the increasing phospholipids to tetracaine ratio. The extent of such changes in anisotropy and λ_max in the presence and absence of two important components of neuronal membranes, cholesterol and GM₁ indicated differential membrane localization of the two local anesthetics. To understand the intercellular mode of action of local anesthetics, we have also studied the interactions of dibucaine and tetracaine with brain spectrin which indicate differential spectrin interactions with similar binding strength. Thermodynamic parameters associated with such binding reveal that binding is favored by entropy. Tetracaine brings about distinct structural changes in spectrin compared to dibucaine, as reflected in the tryptophan mean lifetime and far-UV CD spectra. Tetracaine also exhibits a detergent-like property inducing concentration dependent decrease in spectrin anisotropy, further indicating structural changes in brain spectrin with probable implications in its anesthetic potential.     

Interaction of local anesthetics with small phospholipid vesicles investigated by proton NMR spectroscopy

The effects of the local anesthetics tetracaine, procaine (both charged at pH 6), and benzocaine (uncharged) on phospholipid liposomes have been investigated by 500 MHz ¹H NMR Spectroscopy. All the drugs reverse the Pr³⁺ induced shifts of phospholipid resonances in the same sequence as they are shifted by addition of Pr³⁺: choline POCH₂- > choline-CH₂N > choline-N(CH₃)₃ > glycerol > glycerol > acyl C₂ > acyl C₃. The drug effects result from incorporation of positive charges (tetracaine and procaine) and from the induction of a conformational change of the phospholipid head group via an action on the lipid glycerol backbone (benzocaine). From titration experiments with tetracaine on liposomes containing Pr³⁺ inside and outside is derived that the drug passes the bilayer by transverse diffusion. Tetracaine partitions outside/inside at a ratio of 21. Changes in linewidths of the drug resonances when incorporated into the liposomes allow the conclusion that the tetracaine molecule is located in an elongated way between the lipid acyl chains with its nitrogen group near the glycerol backbone. Benzocaine, showing strong effects on the line shapes of the protons on C₂ and C₃ of the lipid acyl chains is also located near the glycerol backbone, the region with the strongest hydrophobic forces.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 30), Cardiology.     

The effect of local anesthetics on the electric properties of black flat bilayers

The effect of some local anesthetics on conductance of bilayer lipid membranes made of egg yolk lecithin has been studied. Low concentrations of anesthetics were shown to gradually increase the integral conductance of bilayers. This effect is connected with the protonophore activity of the tested anesthetics and it caused the stabilization of the bilayers. High concentrations of anesthetics caused destabilization of membranes and formed zones of nonselective increased conductance.     

Comparison of effects of ABA and IAA on phospholipid bilayers

The plant hormones indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) affect the properties of phospholipid bilayers differently. IAA enhances permeability of bilayers composed of phosphatidylcholine to the non-electrolyte erythritol while ABA requires an additional phospholipid in the membrane to produce substantial enhancement. Similar conclusions are obtained by measuring hormone-induced permeability to chloride ions; IAA is effective with single component phosphatidylcholine membranes while ABA requires a second phospholipid. Erythritol permeability is shown to be pH dependent for both hormones. Although IAA is more effective at increasing erythritol permeability at pH 4 than at pH 7, both dissociated and undissociated IAA affect the process. In comparison ABA is almost totally ineffective in the dissociated form (at pH 7). Spin label electron spin resonance measurements demonstrated that neither hormone substantially disrupts acyl chain mobility within the membrane, indicating that the mechanism of permeability enhancement is not a general non-specific pertubation of membrane ordering and fluidity. Both hormones can also effect the stability of small unilamellar (sonicated) vesicles. Phosphatidylcholine vesicles are relatively stable and do not rapidly aggregate with either ABA or IAA. However, when phosphatidylethanolamine is incorporated as a minor component (10 mol%) into phosphatidylcholine vesicles ABA causes rapid aggregation while IAA has no effect. These experiments indicate that the two hormones may exhibit completely different behaviour on membranes without the requirement for specific proteinaceous receptors.     

Synthesis, liposomal formulation and thermal effects on phospholipid bilayers of leuprolide.

A novel liposomal formulation was developed for the encapsulation of the oligopeptide leuprolide (GlpHisTrpSerTyr-D-LeuLeuArgProNHEt), a potent analogue of gonadotropin releasing hormone used in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis and precocious puberty. Leuprolide was synthesized using solid phase methodology on a {3-[(ethyl-Fmoc-amino)-methyl]-1-indol-1-yl}-acetyl AM resin and Fmoc/tBu chemistry. The new liposomal formulation, called 'liposomes in liposomes' is composed of egg phosphatidylcholine:dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol in a molar ratio of 98.91:1.09 (internal liposomes) and egg phosphatidylcholine:dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol:cholesterol in a molar ratio of 68.71:0.76:30.53 (external liposomes). It offers high encapsulation efficiency (73.8% for leuprolide); it can provide new delivery characteristics and it may have possible advantages in future applications regarding the encapsulation and delivery of bioactive peptides to target tissues. Furthermore, the physicochemical characteristics (size distribution and zeta-potential) of the liposomal formulations and the thermal effects on leuprolide in model lipidic bilayers composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, the dynamic effects of leuprolide in an egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol system were examined using solid state 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy.     

Further studies on F1-ATPase inhibition by local anesthetics

We have measured the inhibitory potencies of several local anesthetics (procaine, lidocaine, tetracaine and dibucaine) and related compounds (chlorpromazine, procainamide and propranolol) on the ATPase activities of bovine heart submitochondrial particles and purified F1 extracted from these particles. All of these agents cause inhibition of ATPase in F1 as well as in submitochondrial particles. A linear relationship is found between the log of the octanol/water partition coefficients and the log of the concentrations required for 50% inhibition of F1. Sedimentation velocity ultracentrifugation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that 1.0 mM tetracaine caused partial dissociation of the F1 complex. Complete reversibility of the enzyme inhibitory effects was demonstrated, however. This work shows that local anesthetics can affect protein structure and enzyme activity without the mediation of lipid.     

Influence of cholesterol on phospholipid bilayers phase domains as detected by Laurdan fluorescence.

Coexisting gel and liquid-crystalline phospholipid phase domains can be observed in synthetic phospholipid vesicles during the transition from one phase to the other and, in vesicles of mixed phospholipids, at intermediate temperatures between the transitions of the different phospholipids. The presence of cholesterol perturbs the dynamic properties of both phases to such an extent as to prevent the detection of coexisting phases. 6-Lauroyl-2-dimethylaminopahthalene (Laurdan) fluorescence offers the unique advantage of well resolvable spectral parameters in the two phospholipid phases that can be used for the detection and quantitation of coexisting gel and liquid-crystalline domains. From Laurdan fluorescence excitation and emission spectra, the generalized polarization spectra and values were calculated. By the generalized polarization phospholipid phase domain coexistence can be detected, and each phase can be quantitated. In the same phospholipid vesicles where without cholesterol domain coexistence can be detected, above 15 mol% and, remarkably, at physiological cholesterol concentrations, > or = 30 mol%, no separate Laurdan fluorescence signals characteristic of distinct domains can be observed. Consequences of our results on the possible size and dynamics of phospholipid phase domains and their biological relevance are discussed.     

Uncoupling effects of local anesthetics on rat liver mitochondria

We demonstrate in this paper that bupivacaine, a local anesthetic, can act alone as an uncoupler of rat liver mitochondria. It stimulates state 4 respiration, induces a swelling in potassium acetate (in the presence of valinomycin), and collapses the transmembrane potential. Lidocaine, another local anesthetic, requires the presence of a lipophilic anion such as TPB- to produce the same effects. TPB- can also reinforce the action of bupivacaine. These differences in action of the two local anesthetics can be explained by the difference in the liposolubility.