Density fluctuations and rotational isomerization in phospholipid bilayers as studied by ultrasonic absorption spectroscopy

Molecular acoustic as a new tool for the study of biophysical properties of lipoproteins

The method of measurement of velocity and absorption of ultrasound at a fixed frequency (7.2 MHz) and measurement of density were used to study the physical properties of high- (HDL3) and low- (LDL) density lipoproteins. We found substantial changes in velocity number [u] and absorption number [alpha lambda] on temperature, which reflect structural changes in the hydrophobic core of LDL at the thermotropic-phase transition. The absorption number revealed broad changes in temperature for both classes of lipoproteins (LP). The density of LP also depends on temperature but in considerably less degree than the acoustic parameters. The values of acoustic parameters were determined, showing that LDL and HDL3 greatly differ with respect to adiabatic compressibility.