The effect of lipid oxidation on water permeability of phosphatidylcholine membranes was
investigated by means of both scattering stopped flow experiments and atomistic molecular
dynamics simulations. Formation of water pores followed by a significant enhancement of water
permeability was observed. The molecules of oxidized phospholipids facilitate pore formation and
subsequently stabilize water in the membrane interior. A wide range of oxidation ratios, from
15 to 100 mol%, was considered. The degree of oxidation was found to strongly influence the
time needed for the opening of a pore. In simulations, the oxidation ratio of 75 mol% was found
to be a threshold for spontaneous pore formation in the tens of nanosecond timescale, whereas
15 mol% of oxidation led to significant water permeation in the timescale of seconds. Once a pore
was formed, the water permeability was found to be virtually independent of the oxidation ratio.