title: Differential scanning calorimetry evidence of the enhancement of beta-sitosterol absorption across biological membranes mediated by beta-cyclodextrins.
abstract: beta-Sitosterol is a plant sterol that has received much attention because of its effectiveness in reducing the absorption of dietary cholesterol, as well as in offering protection from cardiovascular diseases and cancer development. Thus, the knowledge of the interaction of beta-sitosterol with biological membranes can help in understanding its mechanism of action. In the present paper, the differential scanning calorimetry technique has been used to study the interaction of beta-sitosterol with a biomembrane model constituted by dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles. Furthermore, kinetic experiments have been carried out to follow the uptake of beta-sitosterol by biomembranes and the effect of beta-cyclodextrins on such a process. Our results indicate that opportune concentrations of beta-cyclodextrins improve the uptake of beta-sitosterol by phospholipid membranes.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy. fcastelli@dipchi.unict.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sarpietro
authors.forename: Dorotea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Micieli
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trombetta
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saija
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D007700:Kinetics; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000378:metabolism; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000378:metabolism*; D013816:Thermodynamics; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008081:Liposomes; D012855:Sitosterols; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; C025473:gamma-sitosterol