Thermal behavior of stearoylsphingomyelin-cholesterol dispersions

Abstract

The thermotropic behavior of aqueous dispersions of stearoylsphingomyelin-cholesterol mixtures was examined by high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry. When less than 20 mol % cholesterol was mixed with the sphingomyelin and the samples were held at room temperature for 7-9 days before the initiation of calorimetric measurements, a sharp endotherm at 56-57.degree. C and a broad endotherm at 35-50.degree. C were observed. In addition, samples containing 15-20 mol % sterol exhibited a sharp endotherm at 43-45.degree. C. If samples were held at room temperature for less than 2 h before the initiation of calorimetric analysis, the 56-57.degree. C endotherm was usually not seen. Instead, a combination of broad and sharp endotherms over the range of 35-50.degree. C was observed. Occasionally, exotherms were also observed within this temperature range. A cholesterol-rich phase probably coexists with a cholesterol-poor phase in which the sphingomyelin molecules may exist in 2 distinctly different gel states.