A combined X-ray scattering and simulation study of halothane in membranes at raised pressures

Abstract

Using a combination of high pressure wide angle X-ray scattering exper- iments and molecular dynamics simulations, we probe the e ect of the archetypal general anaesthetic halothane on the lipid hydrocarbon chain packing and ordering in model bilayers and the variation in these parame- ters with pressure. Incorporation of halothane into the membrane causes an expansion of the lipid hydrocarbon chain packing at all pressures but the e ect of halothane incorporation on the hydrocarbon chain order parameter is signi cantly reduced at elevated pressure.