Water increases the fluidity of intercellular membranes of stratum corneum: correlation with water permeability, elastic, and electrical resistance properties

Abstract

We used the spin label electron spin resonance technique to monitor the hydration effect on the molecular dynamics of lipids at C-5, C-12, and C-16 positions of the alkyl chain. Increase in water content of neonatal rat SC leads to an increase in membrane fluidity, especially in the region near the membrane-water interface. The effect is less pronounced deeper inside the hydrophobic core. The reorientational correlation time at the C-16 position of hydrocarbon chains showed a higher change up to approximately 18% (w/w) of water content. This behavior was accompanied by an exponential decay both in elastic modulus and electrical resistance with water content. On the contrary, the segmental motion at C-5 and C-12 positions of the chain and the permeability constant increased in the range of around 18% w/w) up to the fully hydrated condition (58 +/- 7%). Our results give a better characterization of the fluidity of SC and show that it is the principal parameter involved in the mechanism of the permeability of different compounds through skin.