BIOTRIBOCHEMISTRY OF THE LUBRICATION OF NATURAL JOINTS

摘要

In this communication, we attempt to consider changes occurring in the phospholipid biomembrane surface in terms of acid-base equilibria. Specifically, the influence of the pH on surface wettability, interfacial energy, and surface friction is discussed under consideration of a biomembrane as an amphoteric polyelectrolyte. We measured the interfacial energy of phosphatidylserine (PS) using a model of bilayer membrane in aqueous electrolyte over the pH range 2.0-12.0.0. Micro-electrophoresis was used to examine the local acid-base equilibrium of the membrane surface, which can be considered to mimic the interface of natural joints. In our findings, the biohydrophobicity of natural surfaces is greatly reduced in the presence of phospholipids. We were able to demonstrate that the coefficient of friction vs. biohydrophobicity of articular cartilage is interface-controlled by osteoarthritis.