In vitro behavior of marine lipid-based liposomes. Influence of pH, temperature, bile salts, and phospholipase A2

Marine phospholipid nanoliposomes: A promising therapeutic approach for inflammatory bowel disease: Preparation, safety, and efficacy evaluation

Promising findings have been emerged from studies utilizing n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Introduction of marine phospholipids which combine n3 PUFA with phosphatidylcholine in a nanoliposome formulation offers enhanced pharmacological efficacy due to physical stability, improved bioavailability, and specific targeting to inflamed colitis tissues. In the present study, a marine phospholipid-based nanoliposome formulation was developed and optimized, resulting in nanovesicles of approximately 107.7 ± 1.3 nm in size, 0.18 ± 0.01 PDI, and - 32.03 ± 3.16 mV ZP. The nanoliposomes exhibited spherical vesicles with stable properties upon incubation at SGF as shown by the TEM, DLS, and turbidity measurements over 3 h. MPL nanoliposomes were cytocompatible until the concentration of 500 µg/mL as per MTT assay and taken by macrophages through macropinocytosis and caveolae pathways, and demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-stimulated macrophages. They were also shown to be blood-compatible and safe for administration in healthy mice. In a colitis mouse model, the nanoliposomes displayed preferential distribution in the inflamed gut, delaying the onset of colitis when administered prophylactically. These findings highlight the potential of marine phospholipid nanoliposomes as a promising therapeutic approach for managing inflammatory bowel disease.

Pueraria flavones-loaded bile salt liposomes with improved intestinal absorption and oral bioavailability: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Pueraria flavone (PF), the main component of Pueraria lobata, is a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; however, it exhibits low oral bioavailability because of its poor membrane permeability. In this study, PF-loaded sodium deoxycholate-decorated liposomes (SDC-Lips) were prepared using the reverse-phase evaporation method and optimised using the Box-Behnken design method. The morphology, particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency of these PF-loaded SDC-Lips were evaluated. The release behaviours of PF-loaded SDC-Lips in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids were consistent with the Weibull kinetic model. In situ intestinal perfusion studies showed that the absorption characteristics of free PF in rats were mainly passive diffusion and partly active transport, and the duodenum was the main absorption site. After encapsulated with SDC-Lips, the absorption of PF increased significantly. The in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters of area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC)_{(0 → 12 h)} and AUC_{(0 → ∞)} of PF-loaded SDC-Lips after intragastric administration were 1.34-fold and 1.543-fold, respectively. Overall, the PF-loaded SDC-Lips improved the oral absorption of PF by increasing its solubility and might be considered a promising formulation strategy for prolonging the biological activity time of PF.

Novel Nanoliposome Codelivered DHA and Anthocyanidin: Characterization, In Vitro Infant Digestibility, and Improved Cell Uptake

There are still many challenges in understanding the absorption and transport mechanism of liposomes in the gastrointestinal tract of infants, especially for liposome-coentrapped two or more substances. In this study, novel docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-anthocyanidin-codelivery liposomes (DA-LPs) were fabricated and characterized, and their digestive and absorptive behaviors were evaluated using the in vitro infant digestive method combined with the Caco-2 cell model. The liposomal bilayer structure remained intact with the particles aggregated in simulated infant gastric fluid, while their phospholipid membrane underwent enzymatic lipolysis under simulated intestinal conditions. Compared to single substance-loaded liposomes (DHA- or anthocyanidin-loaded liposomes), the digested DA-LPs showed better cell viability, higher cellular uptake and membrane fluidity, and lower reactive oxygen species (ROS). It can be concluded that DA-LPs are promising carriers for simultaneously transporting hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules and may be beneficial for improving nutrient absorption and alleviating intestinal stress oxidation.

Comparative study on the digestion and absorption characteristics of n-3 LCPUFA-enriched phospholipids in the form of liposomes and emulsions

Previous studies have reported that phospholipids rich in n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) in the form of liposome exhibited superior bioactivities than other formulation. However, the digestion and absorption characteristics of n-3 LCPUFA-enriched phospholipids were still unclear, restricting the molecular mechanism analysis related to their distinctive activities. The aim of the present study was to compare the digestion and absorption characteristics of DHA/EPA-PC in the forms of liposome and emulsion. The fatty acid composition and lipid species in serum, intestinal wall and content of healthy mice were determined after oral administration with DHA/EPA-PC. Results showed that the peak value of serum DHA/EPA level in the liposome group was significantly higher than that of the emulsion group (p < 0.05), although the peak in the liposome group appeared at 3 h and the peak time was 2 h in the emulsion group. Lipidomics analysis indicated that the high levels of total PL and PL-DHA could be retained in serum for a substantial period after administration of the DHA/EPA-PC liposome, which might be attributed to that the DHA/EPA-PC in the form of liposomes was hydrolyzed slower by pancreatic phospholipase A2 than the emulsion form in small intestinal content. The obtained results might provide theoretical basis for the development and utilization of marine-derived phospholipids.

Intestinal bioavailability of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids influenced by the supramolecular form of phospholipids

This work aims at studying the bioavailability of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids carried by marine phospholipids, formulated in different supramolecular forms,i.e.oil-in-water emulsion and liposomes.

Mucus interactions with liposomes encapsulating bioactives: Interfacial tensiometry and cellular uptake on Caco-2 and cocultures of Caco-2/HT29-MTX

Structuring of delivery matrices in foods aquires careful designing for optimal delivery and subsiquent absorption of the beneficial compounds in the gut. There has been quite improvement in mimicking digestion and absorption in vitro but as of yet little is understood on mucus interference in nutrient absorption Therefore in this study interactions of human intestinal mucus with milk and soy phospholipids liposomes carring hydrophilic (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) or hydrophobic (β-carotene) bioactive molecules were investigated. Liposomes of about 100nm were obtained using microfluidization and their behaviour with the human intestinal mucus were evaluated using drop shape tensiometry. The chemistry of the liposomes (milk or soy) and the encapsulated bioactive structure can affect the viscoelastic behaviour of the complex itself. Empty or loaded liposomes were differently interacting with the mucus at the interface. Mucus-liposomes interactions were also studied using cell cultures, Caco-2 (without mucus) and cocultures Caco-2/HT29-MTX (mucus producing). The interaction of mucus layer with liposomes was at some extent aligned with rheological studies. This work demonstrated that delivery systems may interact with the mucosal surface of intestinal cells, and in vitro approaches allow for screening of such interactions. These highlights could help us in carefully designing the delivery systems and moreover choosing the right carrier and/or bioactive that does not jeopardize the optimal delivery of the bioactive structure.

Perspective and potential of oral lipid-based delivery to optimize pharmacological therapies against cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Despite the large number of cardiovascular drugs available for pharmacological therapies, factors limiting the efficient oral use are identified, including low water solubility, pre-systemic metabolism, food intake effects and short half-life. Numerous in vivo proof-of-concepts studies are presented to highlight the viability of lipid-based delivery to optimize the oral delivery of cardiovascular drugs. In particular, the key performance enhancement roles of oral lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDSs) are identified, which include i) improving the oral bioavailability, ii) sustaining/controlling drug release, iii) improving drug stability, iv) reducing food intake effect, v) targeting to injured sites, and vi) potential for combination therapy. Mechanisms involved in achieving these features, range of applicability, and limits of available systems are detailed. Future research and development efforts to address these issues are discussed, which is of significant value in directing future research work in fostering translation of lipid-based formulations into clinical applications to reduce the prevalence of CVDs.

Recent advances in liposomal nanohybrid cerasomes as promising drug nanocarriers

Liposomes have been extensively investigated as possible carriers for diagnostic or therapeutic agents due to their unique properties. However, liposomes still have not attained their full potential as drug and gene delivery vehicles because of their insufficient morphological stability. Recently, a super-stable and freestanding hybrid liposomal cerasome (partially ceramic- or silica-coated liposome) has drawn much attention as a novel drug delivery system because its atomic layer of polyorganosiloxane surface imparts higher morphological stability than conventional liposomes and its liposomal bilayer structure reduces the overall rigidity and density greatly compared to silica nanoparticles. Cerasomes are more biocompatible than silica nanoparticles due to the incorporation of the liposomal architecture into cerasomes. Cerasomes combine the advantages of both liposomes and silica nanoparticles but overcome their disadvantages so cerasomes are ideal drug delivery systems. The present review will first highlights some of the key advances of the past decade in the technology of cerasome production and then review current biomedical applications of cerasomes, with a view to stimulating further research in this area of study.

Design and synthesis of lipidic organoalkoxysilanes for the self-assembly of liposomal nanohybrid cerasomes with controlled drug release properties

This paper reports the facile design and synthesis of a series of lipidic organoalkoxysilanes with different numbers of triethoxysilane headgroups and hydrophobic alkyl chains linked by glycerol and pentaerythritol for the construction of cerasomes with regulated surface siloxane density and controlled release behavior. It was found that the number of triethoxysilane headgroups affected the properties of the cerasomes for encapsulation efficiency, drug loading capacity, and release behavior. For both water-soluble doxorubicin (DOX) and water-insoluble paclitaxel (PTX), the release rate from the cerasomes decreased as the number of triethoxysilane headgroups increased. The slower release rate from the cerasomes was attributed to the higher density of the siloxane network on the surface of the cerasomes, which blocks the drug release channels. In contrast to the release results with DOX, the introduction of one more hydrophobic alkyl chain into the cerasome-forming lipid resulted in a slower release rate of PTX from the cerasomes due to the formation of a more compact cerasome bilayer. An MTT viability assay showed that all of these drug-loaded cerasomes inhibited proliferation of the HepG2 cancer cell line. The fine tuning of the chemical structure of the cerasome-forming lipids would foster a new strategy to precisely regulate the release rate of drugs from cerasomes.

Exploring the fate of liposomes in the intestine by dynamic in vitro lipolysis

Liposomes are generally well tolerated drug delivery systems with a potential use for the oral route. However, little is known about the fate of liposomes during exposure to the conditions in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). To gain a better understanding of liposome stability in the intestine, a dynamic in vitro lipolysis model, which so far has only been used for the in vitro characterisation of other lipid-based drug delivery systems, was applied to different liposomal formulations. Liposome size and phospholipid (PL) digestion were determined as two markers for liposome stability. In addition, the effect of PL degradation on the ability to maintain liposomally incorporated danazol in solution during lipolysis was evaluated in order to address the feasibility of liposomes designed for oral administration. Rate and extend of hydrolysis of PLs mediated by pancreatic enzymes was determined by titration and HPLC. Size of liposomes was determined by dynamic light scattering during incubation in lipolysis medium (LM) and during lipolysis. SPC-based (soy phosphatidylcholine) liposomes were stable in LM, whereas for EPC-3-based (hydrated egg phosphatidylcholine) formulations the formation of aggregates of around 1 μm in diameter was observed over time. After 60 min lipolysis more than 80% of PLs of the SPC-liposomes were digested, but dependent on the liposome concentration only a slight change in size and size distribution could be observed. Although EPC-3 formulations did form aggregates during lipolysis, the lipids exhibited a higher stability compared to SPC and only 30% of the PLs were digested. No direct correlation between liposome integrity assessed by vesicle size and PL digestion was observed. Danazol content in the liposomes was around 5% (mol/mol danazol/total lipid) and hardly any precipitation was detected during the lipolysis assay, despite pronounced lipolytic degradation and change in vesicle size. In conclusion, the tested dynamic in vitro lipolysis model is suitable for the assessment of liposome stability in the intestine. Furthermore, liposomes might be a useful alternative to other lipid based delivery systems for the oral delivery of poorly soluble drugs.

Lipoidal soft hybrid biocarriers of supramolecular construction for drug delivery

Lipid-based innovations have achieved new heights during the last few years as an essential component of drug development. The current challenge of drug delivery is liberation of drug agents at the right time in a safe and reproducible manner to a specific target site. A number of novel drug delivery systems has emerged encompassing various routes of administration, to achieve controlled and targeted drug delivery. Microparticulate lipoidal vesicular system represents a unique technology platform suitable for the oral and systemic administration of a wide variety of molecules with important therapeutic biological activities, including drugs, genes, and vaccine antigens. The success of liposomes as drug carriers has been reflected in a number of liposome-based formulations, which are commercially available or are currently undergoing clinical trials. Also, novel lipid carrier-mediated vesicular systems are originated. This paper has focused on the lipid-based supramolecular vesicular carriers that are used in various drug delivery and drug targeting systems.

Lipoidal soft hybrid biocarriers of supramolecular construction for drug delivery

Lipid-based innovations have achieved new heights during the last few years as an essential component of drug development. The current challenge of drug delivery is liberation of drug agents at the right time in a safe and reproducible manner to a specific target site. A number of novel drug delivery systems has emerged encompassing various routes of administration, to achieve controlled and targeted drug delivery. Microparticulate lipoidal vesicular system represents a unique technology platform suitable for the oral and systemic administration of a wide variety of molecules with important therapeutic biological activities, including drugs, genes, and vaccine antigens. The success of liposomes as drug carriers has been reflected in a number of liposome-based formulations, which are commercially available or are currently undergoing clinical trials. Also, novel lipid carrier-mediated vesicular systems are originated. This paper has focused on the lipid-based supramolecular vesicular carriers that are used in various drug delivery and drug targeting systems.

Perspectives on the use of marine and freshwater hydrobiont oils for development of drug delivery systems

Marine foods represent a unique source of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the omega-3 (n-3) family. Today it is generally accepted that fish oil is important in a healthy and balanced omnivorous human diet. This favorable health perception of fish oil is however troubled by the high level of PUFA oxidation and low absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract. In this work we present and described various types of delivery systems which are used to improve PUFA and fish oil availability and oxidative stability.

Oxidative stability of marine phospholipids in the liposomal form and their applications

Marine phospholipids (MPL) have attracted a great deal of attention recently as they are considered to have a better bioavailability, a better resistance towards oxidation and a higher content of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) than oily triglycerides (fish oil) from the same source. Due to their tight intermolecular packing conformation at the sn-2 position and their synergism with α-tocopherol present in MPL extracts, they can form stable liposomes which are attractive ingredients for food or feed applications. However, MPL are still susceptible to oxidation as they contain large amounts polyunsaturated fatty acids and application of MPL in food and aquaculture industries is therefore a great challenge for researchers. Hence, knowledge on the oxidative stability of MPL and the behavior of MPL in food and feed systems is an important issue. For this reason, this review was undertaken to provide the industry and academia with an overview of (1) the stability of MPL in different forms and their potential as liposomal material, and (2) the current applications and future prospects of MPL in both food and aquaculture industries with special emphasis on MPL in the liposomal form.

Lymphatic absorption of α-linolenic acid in rats fed flaxseed oil-based emulsion

The bioavailability of α-linolenic acid (ALA) from flaxseed oil in an emulsified form v. a non-emulsified form was investigated by using two complementary approaches: the first one dealt with the characterisation of the flaxseed oil emulsion in in vitro gastrointestinal-like conditions; the second one compared the intestinal absorption of ALA in rats fed the two forms of the oil. The in vitro study on emulsified flaxseed oil showed that decreasing the pH from 7·3 to 1·5 at the physiological temperature (37°C) induced instantaneous oil globule coalescence. Some phase separation was observed under acidic conditions that vanished after further neutralisation. The lecithin used to stabilise the emulsions inhibited TAG hydrolysis by pancreatic lipase. In contrast, lipid solubilisation by bile salts (after lipase and phospholipase hydrolysis) was favoured by preliminary oil emulsification. The in vivo absorption of ALA in thoracic lymph duct-cannulated rats fed flaxseed oil, emulsified or non-emulsified, was quantified. Oil emulsification significantly favoured the rate and extent of ALA recovery as measured by the maximum ALA concentration in the lymph (Cmax = 14 mg/ml at 3 h in the emulsion group v. 9 mg/ml at 5 h in the oil group; P < 0·05). Likewise, the area under the curve of the kinetics was significantly higher in the emulsion group (48 mg × h/ml for rats fed emulsion v. 26 mg × h/ml for rats fed oil; P < 0·05). On the whole, ALA bioavailability was improved with flaxseed oil ingested in an emulsified state. Data obtained from the in vitro studies helped to partly interpret the physiological results.

Effects of chitosan and rosmarinate esters on the physical and oxidative stability of liposomes

Liposomes have substantial potential to deliver bioactive compounds in foods. However, the oxidative degradation and physical instability of liposomes limit their utilization. This research evaluated the ability of chitosan and rosmarinic acid and its esters to increase the physical and oxidative stability of liposomes. Particle size analysis studies showed that the physical stability of liposomes was enhanced by depositing a layer of cationic chitosan onto the negatively charged liposomes. The combination of octadecyl rosmarinate (40 microM) and chitosan coating resulted in significantly greater inhibition of lipid oxidation in the liposomes compared to chitoson or octadecyl rosmarinate alone. Increasing the concentrations of octadecyl rosmarinate to a concentration of 40 microM in the chitosan-coated liposomes decreased lipid oxidation. Only butyl rosmarinate exhibited stronger antioxidant activity than free rosmarinic acid. Eicosyl rosmarinate (20 carbons) had lower antioxidant activity than all other rosmarinic acid derivatives. These results suggest that by combining the inclusion of appropriate antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and the deposition of a chitosan coating onto the surface of liposomes may significantly increase the oxidative and physical stability of liposomes.

Combined strategies for liposome characterization during in vitro digestion

Three types of pyranine (HPTS)-containing liposomes were prepared by high-pressure homogenization under optimized conditions. At 37 degrees C, they were 1) fluid-state vesicles made from soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC), 2) gel-state liposomes made from hydrogenated SPC (HSPC), and 3) solid-disordered membranes obtained from HSPC and cholesterol (HSPC-Chol). These liposome formulations were characterized before, during, and after in vitro digestion, which involved the presence of pH gradients, enzymes, and bile salts. Mean sizes and size distributions of the vesicles were determined by DLS; (31)P-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) was used to quantify lyso-PC forms; internal pH was monitored throughout digestion with two different fluorescent pH probes; and changes in bilayer permeability and HPTS encapsulation were determined by size-exclusion chromatography and fluorimetry. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis was also performed in order to study the effect of digestion on HSPC vesicles. SPC liposomes were physically stable during digestion; they presented 8% lyso-forms and an HPTS encapsulation around 85% after in vitro digestion. However, they were extremely permeable to ions, so that the internal pH immediately equilibrated with the bulk pH. HSPC liposomes were the most affected by the digestive process. Even though they were chemically stable, as inferred from the low lyso-PC content, very important changes in their size distribution were observed. A final 50% HPTS leakage was quantified after in vitro digestion. Nevertheless, they were the least permeable to protons under pH gradients. HSPC-Chol vesicles presented intermediate permeability to protons, having their internal pH decreased from approximately 6.8 to 4.6 after 1 hour of incubation at pH 2. This was the most chemically stable formulation and showed the highest encapsulation, even after in vitro digestion. Therefore, HSPC-Chol liposomes would be the most adequate choice for the design of lipid products for oral administration.

Early dissimilar fates of liver eicosapentaenoic acid in rats fed liposomes or fish oil and gene expression related to lipid metabolism

The study was undertaken to determine whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3), esterified in phospholipids (PL) as liposomes or in triglycerides (TG) as oil, exhibited comparable fates in liver lipids and whether these fates were associated with gene expressions related to fatty acid (FA) metabolism. PL and TG mixtures with close contents in EPA and DHA were administered to rats over 2 weeks. Most relevant events occurred after 3 days for both treatments. At that time, liposomes, compared with oil, increased the liver content in PL with a FA composition enriched in n-6 FA, comparable in DHA and much lower in EPA. Moreover, liposomes increased the activity and mRNA levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) I. In contrast, fish oil exerted opposite effects on CPT I and increased the genic expression of lipogenic enzymes. Liposomes, unlike fish oil, apparently increased the mRNA levels of acyl-CoA oxidase and the activity of the peroxisomal FA-oxidising system. Concomitantly, mRNA levels of hepatic lipoprotein receptors were increased with both diets, but intracellular proteins involved in free FA uptake and lipid synthesis were up-regulated only with liposome-treated rats. The quasi absence of EPA in hepatic PL of liposome-treated rats on the short term could result from increased beta-oxidation activities through metabolic regulations induced by more available free EPA and other PUFA.

Proton-induced calcitonin gene-related peptide release from rat sciatic nerve axons, in vitro, involving TRPV1

We have shown previously that rat sciatic nerve axons in vitro express sensitivity to capsaicin and heat and responded to these stimuli with a Ca2+-dependent and graded immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide release. Morphological evidence for stimulated vesicular exocytosis and for the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 in the axolemma of the unmyelinated nerve fibres has also been presented. Here we used solutions of low pH, high K+ or 47 degrees C to stimulate isolated desheathed sciatic nerves measuring immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide release. pH 6.1 increased immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide release by 31% over baseline and pH 5.2 and 4.3 caused a log-linear concentration-dependent increase of 137 and 265%, respectively. The effect of pH 3.4 was out of the linear range and not reversible. Stimulation in Ca2+-free solutions and under increased intracellular Ca2+ buffering capacity strongly reduced the proton responses. The TRPV1 antagonists capsazepine and ruthenium red substantially reduced the effects of pH 5.2 but not pH 6.1. Combining a stimulus of 60 mm K+ with the subliminal pH 6.3 reduced the axonal immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide response by 88%. The noxious heat response at pH 6.3, however, was only reduced by 39%, suggesting a hidden sensitization to heat by low pH. This was supported by an effect of capsazepine to reduce the combined response to half, indicative of an involvement of TRPV1 in the sensitization but not in the axonal heat response itself that was found to be resistant to capsazepine. Axonal calcitonin gene-related peptide release is thought to play a physiological role in activity-dependent autoregulation of endoneurial blood flow. Axonal sensitivity to and sensitization by protons may be a pathophysiological mechanism involved in certain peripheral neuropathies.

Marine lipid-based liposomes increase in vivo FA bioavailability

Liposomes made from an extract of natural marine lipids and containing a high n-3 PUFA lipid ratio were envisaged as oral route vectors for FA supplements in order to increase PUFA bioavailability. The absorption of FA in thoracic lymph duct-cannulated rats, after intragastric feeding of dietary fats in the form of liposomes or fish oil, was compared. Lipid and FA analyses were also performed on feces. Five mole percent alpha-tocopherol was added to fish oil and incorporated into the liposome membrane. The influence of alpha-tocopherol on FA lymph recovery was also investigated. In vivo, FA absorption in rats was favored by liposomes (98 +/- 1%) compared to fish oil (73 +/- 6%). In the same way, the DHA proportion in lymph was higher after liposome ingestion (78%) than after fish oil ingestion (47%). However, phospholipid (PL) concentration in lymph was not affected by the kind of dietary fat ingested, suggesting a PL regulation due to de novo TAG synthesis. The influence of the intramolecular distribution of n-3 PUFA in dietary lipids (TAG and PL) on the intramolecular FA distribution in TAG of chylomicrons was also investigated. The results obtained showed that the distribution of n-3 PUFA esterified on the sn-2 position of chylomicron TAG depended on the lipid source administered. All these results correlated, at least partly, with in vitro liposome behavior under conditions that mimic those of the gastrointestinal tract. As a whole, this study pointed out that marine PL may constitute an attractive material for the development of liposomes as oral PUFA supplements.

Incorporation of alpha-tocopherol in marine lipid-based liposomes: in vitro and in vivo studies

Liposomes made from a natural marine lipid extract and containing a high polyunsaturated n-3 fatty lipid ratio were envisaged as oral route vectors and a potential alpha-tocopherol supplement. The behavior of vesicles obtained by simple filtration and of giant vesicles prepared by electroformation was investigated in gastrointestinal-like conditions. The influence of alpha-tocopherol incorporation into liposomes was studied on both physical and chemical membrane stability. Propanal, as an oxidation product of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, was quantified by static headspace gas chromatography when alpha-tocopherol incorporation into liposome ratios ranged from 0.01 to 12 mol%. Best oxidative stability was obtained for liposomes that contained 5 mol% alpha-tocopherol. Compared to the other formulas, propanal formation was reduced, and time of the oxidation induction phase was longer. Moreover, alpha-tocopherol induced both liposome structural modifications, evidenced by turbidity, and phospholipid chemical hydrolysis, quantified as the amount of lysophospholipids. This physicochemical liposome instability was even more pronounced in acid storage conditions, i.e., alpha-tocopherol incorporation into liposome membranes accelerated the structural rearrangements and increased the rate of phospholipid hydrolysis. In particular, giant vesicles incubated at pH 1.5 underwent complex irreversible shape transformations including invaginations. In parallel, the absorption rate of alpha-tocopherol was measured in lymph-cannulated rats when alpha-tocopherol was administrated, as liposome suspension or added to sardine oil, through a gastrostomy tube. Alpha-tocopherol recovery in lymph was increased by almost threefold, following liposome administration. This may be related to phospholipids that should favor alpha-tocopherol solubilization and to liposome instability in the case of a high amount of alpha-tocopherol in the membranes. A need to correlate results obtained from in vitro liposome behavior with in vivo lipid absorption was demonstrated by this study.