Abstract
The mechanism for the self-assembly of the lamellar structure of intercellular stratum corneum lipids (SCL) has been a subject of considerable interest. The present study was conducted for clarification of this point using a synthetic pseudo-ceramide (SLE). The phase behavior and the structural characteristics of SLE other major components of SCL, fatty acids, cholesterol and cholesteryl esters, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray analysis. Stable lamellar structures could be confirmed only in the mixed systems of SLE and long-chain saturated fatty acids (stearic acid and palmitic acid). Lipid mixtures whose saturated fatty acid had been replaced by oleic acid failed to form lamellar structures and crystals of SLE were found present within these mixtures. It thus follows that fatty acids, as well as ceramides are essential to the self organization of SCL and that stable bilayer formation depends considerably on fatty acid molecular structure.
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