title: Ethanol perturbs lipid organization in models of stratum corneum membranes: An investigation combining differential scanning calorimetry, infrared and (2)H NMR spectroscopy.
abstract: Ethanol is used in a variety of topical products. It is known to enhance the permeability of the skin by altering the ability of the stratum corneum (SC) intercellular membranes to form an effective barrier. In addition, ethanol and other alcohols are key components of antiseptic gels currently used for hand wash. Using infrared and deuterium NMR spectroscopy as well as calorimetry, we have investigated the effect of ethanol on a model membrane composed of lipids representing the three classes of SC lipids, an equimolar mixture of N-palmitoylsphingosine (ceramide), palmitic acid and cholesterol. Ethanol is found to influence the membrane in a dose dependent manner, disrupting packing and increasing lipid motion at low concentrations and selectively extracting lipids at moderate concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Center for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures (CSACS), Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7.
authors.forename: Sungjong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Elana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brief
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Langlais
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kitson
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lafleur
authors.forename: Jenifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thewalt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol