Changes of structural and dynamic properties of model lipid membranes induced by alpha-tocopherol: implication to the membrane stabilization under external electric field

The effects of alpha -tocopherol on electric properties of bilayer lipid me mbranes were investigated. Planar bilayer membranes formed by the Mueller-R udin method were used. Voltammetric and chronopotentiometric measurements w ere performed using a four-electrode potentiostat-galvanostat. It was demon strated that registration of membrane capacitance, resistance, and voltamme tric characteristics provided information about the change in the structure and permeability of bilayer lipid membranes. The results suggested that in corporation of alpha -tocopherol into lipid membrane destabilized its struc ture and facilitated the electrogeneration of pores. The possible role of o bserved changes in physiological functions of alpha -tocopherol was discuss ed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.