Combined application of neutron and synchrotron radiation for investigation of the influence of dimethyl sulfoxide on the structure and properties of the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine membrane

The influence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the structure and properties of the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine membrane was studied at positive temperatures by a combination of X-ray diffraction and small-angle neutron scattering. Penetration of DMSO molecules into the lipid membrane was found to depend on the mole fraction of DMSO in an aqueous solution, X-DMSO. At X-DMSO > 0.08 the SO group penetrates into the bilayer polar region, thus resulting in structural alterations. At X-DMSO > 0.2 defects in the membrane surface are developed.