Cyclodextrins lessen the membrane damaging effect of nonionic tensides

Nonylphenyl-ethyleneoxide polymers containing 5, 9 and 30 ethyleneoxide groups per molecule build into the hydrophobic fatty acid chains of the cell membrane phospholipid dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) resulting in a decreased main transition temperature, a decreased enthalpy of the main transition and in enhanced potassium permeability of DPPC liposomes. The -, - and -cyclodextrins form inclusion complexes with the tenzides lowering their free concentration. The complex formation lessens or sometimes totally prevents the membrane damaging effect of tensides. The effectivity order of cyclodextrins is CD>CD>CD.Presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Inclusion Phenomena and the Third International Symposium on Cyclodextrins, Lancaster, U.K. 20–25 July 1986.