Membrane softening by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs investigated by neutron spin echo

V. K. Sharma, M. Nagao, D. K. Rai, E. Mamontov

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29 Scopus citations

Abstract

In spite of their well-known side effects, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for their antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions. Interaction of NSAIDs with the plasma membrane plays a vital role in their therapeutic actions and defines many of their side effects. In the present study, we investigate the effects of three NSAIDs, aspirin, ibuprofen, and indomethacin, on the structure and dynamics of a model plasma membrane using a combination of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron spin echo (NSE) techniques. The SANS and NSE measurements were carried out on a 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) membrane, with and without NSAIDs, at two different temperatures, 11 °C and 37 °C, where the DMPC membrane is in the gel and fluid phase, respectively. SANS data analysis shows that incorporation of NSAIDs leads to bilayer thinning of the membrane in both the phases. The dynamic properties of the membrane are represented by the intermediate scattering functions for NSE data, which are successfully described by the Zilman and Granek model. NSE data analysis shows that in both gel and fluid phases, addition of NSAIDs results in a decrease in the bending rigidity and compressibility modulus of the membrane, which is more prominent when the membrane is in the gel phase. The magnitude of the effect of NSAIDs on the bending rigidity and compressibility modulus of the membrane in the gel phase follows an order of ibuprofen > aspirin > indomethacin, whereas in the fluid phase, it is in the order of aspirin > ibuprofen > indomethacin. We find that the interaction between NSAIDs and phospholipid membranes is strongly dependent on the chemical structure of the drugs and physical state of the membrane. Mechanical properties of the membrane can be quantified by the membrane's bending rigidity. Hence, the present study reveals that incorporation of NSAIDs modulates the mechanical properties of the membrane, which may affect several physiological processes, particularly those linked to the membrane curvature.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20211-20218
Number of pages8
JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Volume21
Issue number36
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Funding

Author would like to thank Dr S. Mitra of the Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, India for helpful discussion. The Bio-SANS instrument at the High Flux Isotope Reactor is sponsored by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Access to the NGA-NSE was provided by the Center for High Resolution Neutron Scattering, a partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Science Foundation under Agreement No. DMR-1508249. MN acknowledges funding support of cooperative agreement 70NANB15H259 from NIST, U.S. Department of Commerce. Certain trade names and company products are identified in order to specify adequately the experimental procedure. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor does it imply that the products are necessarily the best for the purpose.

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