Disterolphospholipids: nonexchangeable lipids and their application to liposomal drug delivery.

Extreme makeover of cholesterol: Cholesterol exchange is a major reason for the instability of liposomes in blood. The formation of a covalent hybrid between cholesterol and glycerophosphocholine preserves the bilayer-stabilizing effect of free cholesterol but prevents its transfer from the bilayer. Thus, disterolphospholipids (e.g. 1) are valuable new components for liposome formulation.