Changes in membrane organization upon spontaneous insertion of 2-hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acids in the lipid bilayer.

Recent research regarding 2-hydroxylated fatty acids (2OHFAs) showed clear evidence of their benefits in the treatment of cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Monolayer compressibility isotherms and isothermal titration calorimetry of 2OHFA (C18-C22) in phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine/sphingomyelin/cholesterol (1:1:1:1 mole ratio), a mixture that mimics the composition of mammalian plasma membrane, were performed to assess the membrane binding capacity of 2OHFAs and their natural, nonhydroxylated counterparts. The results show that 2OHFAs are surface-active substances that bind membranes through exothermic, spontaneous processes.