The diffusion of penicillin G and ampicillin through phospholipid sols.

The self-diffusion coefficients of penicillin G and ampicillin have been determined at 25 degrees in water and in the presence of a swamping concentration of electrolyte. The antibiotics diffused through phospholipid dispersions at a reduced rate due to interaction with the lipid aggregates. Ampicillin diffused through the phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine dispersions more rapidly than penicillin G, whereas the latter diffused more rapidly through the lysophosphatidylcholine dispersions. Estimates of binding have been made from these data and compared with those obtained from equilibrium dialysis studies. Surface tension measurements indicated that the antibiotics exhibited minimal surface activity. These results have been correlated with data obtained in other studies and a possible explanation has been advanced for the reported differences in vivo activity of penicillin G and ampicillin.