abstract
- There is evidence that some products of the reaction of ozone with cholesterol contribute to atherosclerosis. One of these compounds is 3beta-hydroxy-5-oxo-5,6-secocholestan-6-al. We have synthesized this compound and have demonstrated that it reacts with phosphatidylethanolamine to form a Schiff base. The 3beta-hydroxy-5-oxo-5,6-secocholestan-6-al also affects the physical properties of phosphatidylethanolamines. We show by both DSC and X-ray diffraction that it increases the negative curvature of the membrane. In addition, 3beta-hydroxy-5-oxo-5,6-secocholestan-6-al causes the lamellar phase to become disorganized, resulting in the loss of lamellar periodicity. The chemical and physical interactions of 3beta-hydroxy-5-oxo-5,6-secocholestan-6-al with phosphatidylethanolamines may contribute to damaging effects of this lipid on cell membranes, resulting in pathology.