Diffusion of lonizable Solutes Across Planar Lipid Bilayer Membranes: Boundary-Layer pH Gradients and the Effect of Buffers

The diffusion of weak acids or bases across planar lipid bilayer membranes results in aqueous boundary layer pH gradients. If not properly taken into account, such pH gradients will lead to errors in estimated membrane permeability coefficients, Pm. The role of the permeant concentration, the buffer capacity, and the physicochemical properties of both permeant and buffer on the magnitude and impact of such pH gradients have been explored. A theoretical model has been developed to describe the diffusion of both permeant and buffer species. Significant pH gradients develop depending on solution pH and the pKa's, concentrations, and Pm values of both permeant and buffer. The relative error in experimentally determined Pm values was calculated as the ratio, r, between apparent Pm values (obtained from flux measurements using an equation which neglected boundary layer pH gradients) and its true value. Simulated r values ranged from 1 (0% error) to 100% error) for weak acids, decreasing with decreasing buffer capacity and increasing solute flux. The buffer capacity required for an r > 0.95 was calculated versus pH for permeants varying in pKa and Pm. Membrane-permeable buffers significantly reduce boundary layer pH gradients through a feedback effect due to buffer cotransport. Apparent Pm values of p-hydroxymethyl benzoic acid across lecithin bilayer membranes at 25°C were obtained as a function of permeant concentration in various buffers [glycolic, 2-(N-morpholino)ethane-sulfonic, and formic acids]. Predictions agreed closely with experimental fluxes.