Molecular Pharmacology, Vol 9, 17-22, Copyright © 1973 by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Lipid Binding and Mode of Action of Compounds of the Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane Type: A Proton Magnetic Resonance Study

¹ Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331

An interaction between compounds of the dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane type (p,p'-DDT, o,p-DDT, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, methoxychlor, dicofol, and DDA) and lecithin has been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The PMR spectrum of lecithin in CCl₄ showed chemical shift changes upon the addition of DDT type compounds, particularly in the resonance peak of the choline protons. Conversely, when lecithin was added to a dilute solution of these compounds, it produced chemical shift changes in the benzylic proton as well as in the ring protons. These changes have been explained on the basis of complex formation involving an acidic proton of the DDT type compounds and the phosphate of the lecithin. The chemical shift changes were used to calculate the equilibrium constant as well as the chemical shift changes of the complex. Correlations can be shown between the chemical shift changes and the toxicity of the DDT type compounds.