Spectroscopic studies of photobleaching and photoproduct formation of porphyrins used in tumour therapy

Effect of a 5-aminolevulinic acid gel and 660 nm red LED light on human oral osteoblasts: a preliminary in vitro study

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a new photodynamic protocol (ALAD-PDT) on primary human osteoblasts (hOBs). The ALAD-PDT protocol consists of a heat-sensitive gel with 5% 5-delta aminolevulinic acid commercialized as Aladent (ALAD), combined with 630 nm LED. For this purpose, the hOBs, explanted from human mandible bone fragments, were used and treated with different ALAD concentrations (10%, 50%, 100% v/v) incubated for 45 min and immediately afterwards irradiated with a 630 nm LED device for 7 min. The untreated and unirradiated cells were considered control (CTRL). The cellular accumulation of the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), the proliferation, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the calcium deposition were assessed. All concentrations (10, 50, 100%) determined a significant increment of PpIX immediately after 45 min of incubation (0 h) with the highest peak by ALAD (100%). The consequent 7 min of light irradiation caused a slight decrease in PpIX. At 48 h and 72 h, any increment of PpIX was observed. The concentration 100% associated with LED significantly increased hOB proliferation at 48 h (+ 46.83%) and 72 h (+ 127.75%). The 50% and 100% concentrations in combination to the red light also stimulated the ALP activity, + 12.910% and + 14.014% respectively. The concentration 100% with and without LED was selected for the assessment of calcium deposition. After LED irradiation, a significant increase in calcium deposition was observed and quantified (+ 72.33%). In conclusion, the ALAD-PDT enhanced proliferation, the ALP activity, and mineralized deposition of human oral osteoblasts, highlighting a promising potential for bone tissue regeneration.

Detection of Porphyrins in Hair Using Capillary Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Unlike humans, some animals have evolved a physiological ability to deposit porphyrins, which are pigments produced during heme synthesis in cells, in the skin and associated integument such as hair. Given the inert nature and easiness of collection of hair, animals that present porphyrin-based pigmentation constitute unique models for porphyrin analysis in biological samples. Here we present the development of a simple, rapid, and efficient analytical method for four natural porphyrins (uroporphyrin I, coproporphyrin I, coproporphyrin III and protoporphyrin IX) in the Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans, a mammal with hair that fluoresces and that we suspected has porphyrin-based pigmentation. The method is based on capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (CLC-MS), after an extraction procedure with formic acid and acetonitrile. The resulting limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.006–0.199 and 0.021–0.665 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. This approach enabled us to quantify porphyrins in flying squirrel hairs at concentrations of 3.6–353.2 µg g⁻¹ with 86.4–98.6% extraction yields. This method provides higher simplicity, precision, selectivity, and sensitivity than other methods used to date, presenting the potential to become the standard technique for porphyrin analysis.

In vivo photobleaching kinetics and epithelial biodistribution of hexylaminolevulinate-induced protoporphyrin IX in rat bladder cancer

In a previous paper, we showed that rat bladder instillations with 8 or 16 mM of hexyl aminolevulinate (hALA) result in diametrically opposed photodynamic therapy efficiency. Although the same fluorescent intensities were detected spectroscopically and by fluorescent microscopy in both conditions, while a given light dose resulted in tumor necrosis with an intact bladder wall after 8 mM hALA, bladders instilled with 16 mM showed total wall necrosis without impact on the tumor. The current study investigated the photobleaching and localization pattern of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) after both hALA intravesical instillations in tumor-bearing rat bladders. The total PpIX content was evaluated by the extraction of postmortem whole bladders. Photobleaching was evaluated in vivo by fluorescent spectroscopy. Cryosections of bladders were subjected to fluorescent microscopy for cellular localization of the photosensitizer. PpIX extraction showed identical amounts of photosensitizer in tumor-bearing bladders at both concentrations. Photobleaching experiments revealed mono-exponential decay curves in both situations but with a two times faster decay constant in 16 mM bladders. Fluorescent microscopy showed an identical fluorescent pattern for normal bladders at both concentrations and tumor bladders at 8 mM with bright spots. Tumor bladders at 16 mM exhibited a more diffuse cytoplasmatic fluorescent distribution. The different response to photodynamic therapy with regard to the initial pro-drug concentration can thus be attributed to the different cellular localizations.

UV-trained and metal-enhanced fluorescence of biliverdin and biliverdin nanoparticles

Increasing the fluorescence quantum yield of fluorophores is of great interest for in vitro and in vivo biomedical imaging applications. At the same time, photobleaching and photodegradation resulting from continuous exposure to light are major considerations in the translation of fluorophores from research applications to industrial or healthcare applications. A number of tetrapyrrolic compounds, such as heme and its derivatives, are known to provide fluorescence contrast. In this work, we found that biliverdin (BV), a naturally-occurring tetrapyrrolic fluorophore, exhibits an increase in fluorescence quantum yield, without exhibiting photobleaching or degradation, in response to continuous ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. We attribute this increased fluorescence quantum yield to photoisomerization and conformational changes in BV in response to UV irradiation. This enhanced fluorescence can be further altered by chelating BV with metals. UV irradiation of BV led to an approximately 10-fold increase in its 365 nm fluorescence quantum yield, and the most favorable combination of UV irradiation and metal chelation led to an approximately 18.5-fold increase in its 365 nm fluorescence quantum yield. We also evaluated these stimuli-responsive behaviors in biliverdin nanoparticles (BVNPs) at the bulk-state and single-particle level. We determined that UV irradiation led to an approximately 2.4-fold increase in BVNP 365 nm quantum yield, and the combination of UV irradiation and metal chelation led to up to a 6.75-fold increase in BVNP 365 nm quantum yield. Altogether, these findings suggest that UV irradiation and metal chelation can be utilized alone or in combination to tailor the fluorescence behavior of imaging probes such as BV and BVNPs at selected wavelengths.

Recent advances in amniote palaeocolour reconstruction and a framework for future research

Preserved melanin pigments have been discovered in fossilised integumentary appendages of several amniote lineages (fishes, frogs, snakes, marine reptiles, non-avialan dinosaurs, birds, and mammals) excavated from lagerstätten across the globe. Melanisation is a leading factor in organic integument preservation in these fossils. Melanin in extant vertebrates is typically stored in rod- to sphere-shaped, lysosome-derived, membrane-bound vesicles called melanosomes. Black, dark brown, and grey colours are produced by eumelanin, and reddish-brown colours are produced by phaeomelanin. Specific morphotypes and nanostructural arrangements of melanosomes and their relation to the keratin matrix in integumentary appendages create the so-called 'structural colours'. Reconstruction of colour patterns in ancient animals has opened an exciting new avenue for studying their life, behaviour and ecology. Modern relationships between the shape, arrangement, and size of avian melanosomes, melanin chemistry, and feather colour have been applied to reconstruct the hues and colour patterns of isolated feathers and plumages of the dinosaurs Anchiornis, Sinosauropteryx, and Microraptor in seminal papers that initiated the field of palaeocolour reconstruction. Since then, further research has identified countershading camouflage patterns, and informed subsequent predictions on the ecology and behaviour of these extinct animals. However, palaeocolour reconstruction remains a nascent field, and current approaches have considerable potential for further refinement, standardisation, and expansion. This includes detailed study of non-melanic pigments that might be preserved in fossilised integuments. A common issue among existing palaeocolour studies is the lack of contextualisation of different lines of evidence and the wide variety of techniques currently employed. To that end, this review focused on fossil amniotes: (i) produces an overarching framework that appropriately reconstructs palaeocolour by accounting for the chemical signatures of various pigments, morphology and local arrangement of pigment-bearing vesicles, pigment concentration, macroscopic colour patterns, and taphonomy; (ii) provides background context for the evolution of colour-producing mechanisms; and (iii) encourages future efforts in palaeocolour reconstructions particularly of less-studied groups such as non-dinosaur archosaurs and non-archosaur amniotes.

Natural Porphyrins Accelerating the Phototransformation of Benzo[a]pyrene in Water

Phototransformation is one of the most important transformation pathways of organic contaminants in the water environment. However, how active compounds enable and accelerate the phototransformation of organic pollutants remains to be elucidated. In this study, the phototransformation of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, the first class "human carcinogens") by various natural porphyrins under solar irradiation was investigated, including chlorophyll a, sodium copper chlorophyllin, hematin, cobalamin, and pheophorbide a. Transformation efficiency of BaP varied considerably with chemical stabilities of the porphyrins. Porphyrins with a lower stability displayed higher BaP transformation efficiencies. BaP transformation had a significant positive correlation with the production of singlet oxygen. Identical phototransformation products of BaP were observed for all investigated porphyrins, and the main products were identified as BaP-quinones, including BaP-1,6-dione, BaP-3,6-dione, and BaP-6,12-dione. The mechanism of natural porphyrins accelerating the BaP phototransformation in water was proposed to proceed via the photocatalytic generation of singlet oxygen resulting in the transformation of BaP to quinones.

Feather content of porphyrins in Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) fledglings depends on body condition and breeding site quality

Porphyrins are pigments produced in most animal cells during the synthesis of heme, but their importance for external coloration is unclear. Owls (Order Strigiformes) are among the few animals that accumulate porphyrins in the integument, where it could serve as a means of signaling. Here we hypothesized that the porphyrin content of feathers may depend on body condition and breeding site quality in Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) fledglings and, thus, constitute amplifiers of the quality of the area where they are born. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, we found 2 porphyrins (protoporphyrin IX and coproporphyrin III) in the body feathers of 19 eagle owl fledglings from 7 breeding territories. Coproporphyrin III, but not protoporphyrin IX feather concentration, was positively associated with the body mass of fledglings and with the quality of the breeding sites where they were reared with respect to food quality and availability. As coproporphyrin III is produced under oxidative stress, we suggest that good breeding sites may lead to fledglings in good condition. This, in turn, may make fledglings induce a certain level of free radical and coproporphyrin III production to signal to conspecifics their site-mediated capacity to cope with oxidative stress. This is the first time that porphyrin content in the integument has been found to be related to individual quality, opening a new scenario for studying evolution of animal coloration.

A quantum dot-MUC1 aptamer conjugate for targeted delivery of protoporphyrin IX and specific photokilling of cancer cells through ROS generation

Non-targeted photosensitizers lack selectivity that undermines the potential use of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, we report the DNA mediated assembly of a ZnSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD)-photosensitizer (PS)-Mucin 1(MUC1) aptamer conjugate for targeting the MUC1 cancer biomarker and simultaneous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), was conjugated to a single stranded DNA and self-assembled to a complementary strand that was conjugated to a QD and harboring a MUC1 aptamer sequence. A multistep fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is shown that involves the QD, PpIX and covalently linked CF™ 633 amine dye (CF dye) to the MUC1 peptide that tracks the potency of the aptamer to attach itself with the MUC1 peptide. Since the absorption spectra of the CF dye overlap with the emission spectra of PpIX, the former acts as an acceptor to PpIX forming a second FRET pair when the dye labeled MUC1 binds to the aptamer. The binding of the QD-PpIX nanoassemblies with MUC1 through the aptamer was further confirmed by gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism studies. The selective photodamage of MUC1 expressing HeLa cervical cancer cells through ROS generation in the presence of the QD-PpIX FRET probe upon irradiation is successfully demonstrated.

Porphyrins produce uniquely ephemeral animal colouration: a possible signal of virginity

Colours that underlie animal pigmentation can either be permanent or renewable in the short term. Here we describe the discovery of a conspicuous salmon-pink colouration in the base of bustard feathers and down that has never been reported because of its extraordinarily brief expression. HPLC analyses indicated that its constituent pigments are coproporphyrin III and protoporphyrin IX, which are prone to photodegradation. Accordingly, an experimental exposure of feathers of three bustard species to sunlight produced a rapid disappearance of the salmon-pink colouration, together with a marked decrease in reflectance around 670 nm coinciding with the absorption of porphyrin photoproducts. The disappearance of the salmon-pink colouration can occur in a period as short as 12 min, likely making it the most ephemeral colour phenotype in any extant bird. The presence of this colour trait in males performing sexual displays may thus indicate to females a high probability that the males were performing their first displays and would engage in their first copulations in the breeding season. In dominant males, sperm quality decreases over successive copulations, thus porphyrin-based colouration may evolve as a signal of virginity that allows females to maximize their fitness in lek mating systems.

The effect of anionic dicephalic surfactants on fabrication of varied-core nanocarriers for sustained release of porphyrin photosensitizers

Double-headed anionic surfactants could provide a profound group of efficient stabilizers of new template-mediated nanocarriers for effective encapsulation and sustained release of highly hydrophobic photosensitizers, and therefore their improved therapeutic activity in photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocols. We have thus encapsulated porphyrin-origin dyes, i.e., verteporfin (VP) and meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) in different types of sodium alkyliminobisacetates, C_n(COONa)₂-stabilized nanosystems including biocompatible poly(l-glutamic acid)/poly(l-lysine) - PGA/PLL, multilayer nanocapsules (NCs). The latter were prepared via a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach with either solid (nanoprecipitated), or liquid (nanoemulsion-templated) oil core while zeta potential measurements enabled to evaluate progress of the polyelectrolytes LbL deposition on both cores and the NCs' stability. Backscattering profiles (BS) confirmed the long-lasting stability of the optimized nanosystems, which size (<200nm), polidyspersity and morphology were examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. Our studies indicated that the encapsulation of VP and TPP in the both type of multilayer NCs increases their solubility in aqueous solution and protects them from the surrounding medium. Mainly, it reduces the photobleaching rate of these porphyrin-type photosensitizers and improves their photochemical properties during irradiation in regards to the free (non-encapsulated) molecules. As far as the core-type is considered, both nanoemulsion-loaded porphyrins, photobleached ca. 15-20% faster than the solid nanoparticle analogs. By using 9,10-anthracenediyl-bis(methylene)dimalonic acid (ABMDMA) as a singlet oxygen (¹O₂) scavenger molecule, the enhanced generation of reactive species was evaluated for the both encapsulated photosensitizers in comparison to their native form. In vitro sustained release under physiological conditions or in the presence of human serum albumin (HSA) was achieved in favor of the solid core NCs for VP and TPP. The designed NCs - offering better chemical and physical stability, high loading capacity for the cargo and ability to release it in a controlled and continuous manner - can be considered as efficacious nanocarriers for PDT.

Spectroscopic studies of pyridil and methoxyphenyl porphyrins in homogeneous and Pluronic®-based nanostructured systems

Spectroscopic properties of Porphyrins TPyP (tetra(4-pyridil)porphyrin), TMPP (tetrakis(4-methoxypheny) porphyrin) and its zinc metaled derivatives porphyrins Zn-TPyP and Zn-TMPP respectively, were studied in homogeneous and micro heterogeneous systems, comprising nanostructured Pluronic® copolymeric micellar systems, as a promising drug delivery systems for the porphyrins investigated. Physico-chemical properties such as, hydrophobicity degree, self- aggregation in solvents of different polarities and water/ethanol mixtures (monofasic binary), as well as kinetics profile and isotherm binding, molecular organization, [Formula: see text] and relative localization in neutral micellar systems. The hydrophobic character was the key to relative drug location in the micellar systems. In homogenous solvents systems the porphyrins presented relatively high values of molar absorptivity and low values of [Formula: see text]. The K[Formula: see text] values obtained are modulated by the structure of porphyrins, state of aggregation, as well as, structure and macro molecular self-organization of copolymers. Fluorescence quenching studies have shown that porphyrins in F-127 are located in a less hydrophobic region than the porphyrins in P-123, which are located preferentially in a deeper micellar microenvironment. The zinc porphyrins showed high values of K[Formula: see text]. Thus, the association of the porphyrins with specific binding sites of micellar systems is strongly modulated by the presence of the metal coordinated to the porphyrinic ring.

DNA mediated assembly of quantum dot–protoporphyrin IX FRET probes and the effect of FRET efficiency on ROS generation

Quantum dot-protoporphyrin IX FRET probes are assembled through DNA hybridization and the efficiency of FRET and ROS generation was studied.

Light-induced TPP photoproduct formation in chloroform and protective role of lipids

In this contribution, the influence of lipids on excitation energy transfer from lipophilic photosensitizer tetraphenylporphyrin to oxygen was investigated in chloroform solutions of phosphatidylcholine as well as in bulk lipid. The excited states kinetics were examined in a wide range of lipid concentrations (from zero to the saturated concentration) by direct time- and spectral-resolved detection of weak near infrared phosphorescence of the photosensitizer (around 840 nm) and singlet oxygen (about 1278 nm). While photosensitizer triplet kinetics follows single-exponential decay with lifetime of 0.52 μs in pure chloroform, two distinct components with lifetimes of approximately 0.4 and 1 μs appear after phosphatidylcholine addition. Both the lifetimes exhibit shortening tendency with increasing lipid concentration. Relative weights of the two components depend on the lipid concentration. Singlet oxygen kinetics exhibit single-exponential rise with lifetimes roughly corresponding to the shorter components of photosensitizer decays while their decays require two exponentials. The lifetime of the longer component decreases with increasing concentration of lipid from (77.6 ± 1.3) μ s at pure chloroform to (14.3 ± 1.1) μ s at the saturated lipid concentration. The time-constants obtained in bulk lipid sample follow the above-mentioned trends. Tetraphenylporphyrin photoproduct formation under pulsed excitation in chloroform solutions was demonstrated. The quantum yield of singlet oxygen production of the photoproduct is lower than that of the tetraphenylporphyrin. It was shown that lipids prevent the singlet-oxygen mediated formation of TPP photoproduct, probably by efficient quenching of singlet oxygen. This quenching is justified by shortening of the longer component of singlet oxygen luminescence decays with increasing concentration of the lipid. Moreover, the lipids also quench triplet states of the photosensitizer.

The binding of analogs of porphyrins and chlorins with elongated side chains to albumin

In previous studies, we demonstrated that elongation of side chains of several sensitizers endowed them with higher affinity for artificial and natural membranes and caused their deeper localization in membranes. In the present study, we employed eight hematoporphyrin and protoporphyrin analogs and four groups containing three chlorin analogs each, all synthesized with variable numbers of methylenes in their alkyl carboxylic chains. We show that these tetrapyrroles' affinity for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and their localization in the binding site are also modulated by chain lengths. The binding constants of the hematoporphyrins and protoporphyrins to BSA increased as the number of methylenes was increased. The binding of the chlorins depended on the substitution at the meso position opposite to the chains. The quenching of the sensitizers' florescence by external iodide ions decreased as the side chains became longer, indicating to deeper insertion of the molecules into the BSA binding pocket. To corroborate this conclusion, we studied the efficiency of photodamage caused to tryptophan in BSA upon illumination of the bound sensitizers. The efficiency was found to depend on the side-chain lengths of the photosensitizer. We conclude that the protein site that hosts these sensitizers accommodates different analogs at positions that differ slightly from each other. These differences are manifested in the ease of access of iodide from the external aqueous phase, and in the proximity of the photosensitizers to the tryptophan. In the course of this study, we developed the kinetic equations that have to be employed when the sensitizer itself is being destroyed.

Photoactivated chlorophyllin-based gelatin films and coatings to prevent microbial contamination of food products

The aim of this work was to develop antimicrobial photosensitizer-containing edible films and coatings based on gelatin as the polymer matrix, incorporating sodium magnesium chlorophyllin (E-140) and sodium copper chlorophyllin (E-141). Chlorophyllins were incorporated into the gelatin film-forming solution and the inhibiting effect of the cast films was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. The results demonstrated that water soluble sodium magnesium chlorophyllin and water soluble sodium copper chlorophyllin reduced the growth of S. aureus and L. monocytogenes by 5 log and 4 log respectively. Subsequently, the activity of self-standing films and coatings containing E-140 was assessed on cooked frankfurters inoculated with S. aureus and L. monocytogenes. These tests showed that it was possible to reduce microorganism growth in cooked frankfurters inoculated with S. aureus and L. monocytogenes by covering them with sodium magnesium chlorophyllin-gelatin films and coatings.

Silica sol–gel matrix doped with Photolon molecules for sensing and medical therapy purposes

Photolon is one of the new photosensitisers that has found application in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Its chemical structure has a partially reduced porphyrin moiety and its molecular structure is comparable to chlorin e(6), which can be isolated after hydrolysis of the 5-membered exocyclic beta-ketoester moiety of pheophorbide a. For this study, a Photolon doped sol-gel matrix was produced in the form of coatings deposited on silica fibers cores. The material was produced from sols prepared from the silicate precursor TEOS mixed with ethyl alcohol. The sol-gel films were prepared with factor R=20, where R denotes the solvent-to-precursor molar ratio. Hydrochloric acid was added as a catalyst in the correct proportion to ensure acid hydrolysis (pH approximately 2). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4h using a magnetic stirrer (speed 400 rpm). The coated fibers were examined in different environments, liquid and gaseous, at different pH values and with various zinc cation concentrations. The chemical reactions were studied by means of spectroscopic methods, whereby the fluorescence response was studied. It was demonstrated that Photolon immobilized in a sol-gel matrix is accessible for the environment and shows visible response to the external changes. Furthermore, it was observed that these reactions are reversible. These biomaterials are also examined as carriers for PDT. It was also proved that a toxic effect is observed an environment with microorganisms, meaning that doped coatings have photodynamic activity.

Milestones in the development of photodynamic therapy and fluorescence diagnosis

Many reviews on PDT have been published. This field is now so large, and embraces so many sub-specialties, from laser technology and optical penetration through diffusing media to a number of medical fields including dermatology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, blood sterilization and treatment of microbial-viral diseases, that it is impossible to cover all aspects in a single review. Here, we will concentrate on a few basic aspects, all important for the route of development leading PDT to its present state: early work on hematoporphyrin and hematoporphyrin derivative, second and third generation photosensitizers, 5-aminolevulinic acid and its derivatives, oxygen and singlet oxygen, PDT effects on cell organelles, mutagenic potential, the basis for tumour selectivity, cell cooperativity, photochemical internalization, light penetration into tissue and the significance of oxygen depletion, photobleaching of photosensitizers, optimal light sources, effects on the immune system, and, finally, future trends.

Influence of Incubation Time and Sensitizer Localization on Meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC)-Induced Photoinactivation of Cells

The present study addresses the impact of different aggregation states of meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) on the photoinactivation of cells. Measurements of the photophysical properties of mTHPC in MCF-7 cells showed progressive sensitizer aggregation with increasing incubation time. Reconstructed absorption spectra of intracellular mTHPC showed a significant decrease in the molar extinction coefficient and broadening of the Soret band at 24 h incubation compared to 3 h. Intracellular photobleaching of mTHPC slowed down, and the profile changed from mono- to bi-exponential upon incubation. Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) measurements revealed a substantial decrease in the lifetime of mTHPC fluorescence at 24 h compared to 3 h. In addition, the intracellular localization of mTHPC as observed by fluorescence microscopy changed from a diffuse homogeneous fluorescence pattern at short incubation times to a punctiform pattern at 24 h. The efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) assessed by a clonogenic assay was three times greater at 24 h. However, when the survival curves were replotted as a function of the number of absorbed photons, the efficiency was 1.8 times greater at 3 h than at 24 h. The loss of photosensitizing efficiency at higher mTHPC concentrations was attributed to self-quenching of the triplet states of the sensitizers.

Avaliação da atividade fotodinâmica de porfirinas para uso em terapia fotodinâmica através da fotoxidação de triptofano

Neste trabalho investigou-se a atividade fotodinâmica de octaetilporfirina (OEP), octaetilporfirina de vanadil (VOOEP) e meso-tetramesitilporfirina (m-TMP). Este estudo foi realizado através da determinação da constante da velocidade de fotoxidação (k f) do aminoácido triptofano (Trp). A participação do oxigênio singlete nesta fotoxidação foi determinada através da adição de azida de sódio e água deuterada no meio de reação. Os valores de k f/10-4s-1 para a fotoxidação de Trp demonstraram que OEP (2,80 ± 0.05) é mais eficiente do que m-TMP (1,62 ± 0,07) e VOOEP (0,81 ± 0,08). Os valores de k f foram menores na presença de azida de sódio e maiores na presença de água deuterada, sugerindo que o oxigênio singlete é o responsável pela atividade fotodinâmica de OEP, VOOEP e m-TMP. Estes resultados sugerem também que as diferenças na atividade fotodinâmica entre as porfirinas podem ser associadas com as diferenças na estrutura molecular das mesmas. A presença do grupo vanadil (V=O) interfere claramente na atividade fotodinâmica de OEP causando considerável redução na sua eficiência.

Hexyl-aminolevulinate-mediated photodynamic therapy: How to spare normal urothelium. An in vitro approach

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of superficial bladder cancer may cause damages to the normal surrounding bladder wall. Prevention of these is important for bladder healing. We studied the influence of photosensitizer concentration, irradiation parameters, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the photodynamically induced damage in the porcine urothelium invitro. The aim was to determine the threshold conditions for the cell survival.

METHODS

Living porcine bladder mucosae were incubated with solution of hexylester of 5-aminolevulinic acid (HAL). The mucosae were irradiated with increasing doses and cell alterations were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and by Sytox green fluorescence. The urothelial survival score was correlated with Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) photobleaching and intracellular fluorescence of Rhodamine 123 reflecting the ROS production.

RESULTS

The mortality ratio was dependent on PpIX concentration. After 3 hours of incubation, the threshold radiant exposures for blue light were 0.15 and 0.75 J/cm(2) (irradiance 30 and 75 mW/cm(2), respectively) and for white light 0.55 J/cm(2) (irradiance 30 mW/cm(2)). Photobleaching rate increased with decreasing irradiance. Interestingly, the DHR123/R123 reporter system correlated well with the threshold exposures under all conditions used.

CONCLUSIONS

We have determined radiant exposures sparing half of normal urothelial cells. We propose that the use of low irradiance combined with systems reporting the ROS production in the irradiated tissue could improve the in vivo dosimetry and optimize the PDT.

Erythrosine is a potential photosensitizer for the photodynamic therapy of oral plaque biofilms

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical plaque disclosing agent erythrosine as a photosensitizer in the photodynamic killing of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans grown as a biofilm.

METHODS

S. mutans biofilms of 200 microm thickness were grown in a constant-depth film fermenter. In addition to determining localization of the photosensitizer within biofilms using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we compared the bacterial killing efficacy of erythrosine with that of two well-characterized photosensitizers, methylene blue (MB) and photofrin. Incubations were carried out with each photosensitizer (22 microM), and irradiation was for 15 min using a 400 W white light source.

RESULTS

The CLSM results showed that erythrosine is taken up into S. mutans biofilms, where it is associated with the biomass of the biofilm rather than the fluid-filled channels and voids. Comparison of the cell killing efficacy of erythrosine in S. mutans biofilms of different ages showed that erythrosine was 1-2 log(10) more effective at killing biofilm bacteria than photofrin and 0.5-1 log(10) more effective than MB. The results were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with all three photosensitizers was increasingly effective as biofilm age increased, suggesting that temporal changes in biofilm architecture and composition affect susceptibility to PDT.

CONCLUSIONS

PDT using erythrosine as photosensitizer shows excellent potential as a treatment for oral plaque biofilms.

Light dosimetry measurements during ALA-PDT of Barrett's oesophagus

A fibre optic probe and compact light detection system has been used to monitor the fluence-rate at the tissue surface during 5-aminolaevulinic acid based photodynamic therapy (PDT) of Barrett's oesophagous. The contributions from three specific wavelengths were recorded, corresponding to the combination of therapeutic laser light and fluorescence emission from protoporphyrin IX (635nm), the fluorescence from an oxidation product of the photosensitiser (670nm), and the protoporphyrin IX fluorescence alone (705nm). We have found that light scattering results in an enhancement of the therapeutic fluence-rate, and hence light dose, by approximately 70%. At the onset of therapy the fluorescence provides a 10% contribution to the overall fluence-rate at 635nm. The dynamics of photosensitiser bleaching could be extracted from the depletion in light signals. By defining a bleaching dose as the 635nm light fluence delivered over the period during which the photosensitiser fluorescence decays to 1/e(3) of its initial value, we find that the average ratio of bleaching to total dose is 33%. Further, the fluorescence contributes approximately 5% of the bleaching light dose. These results suggest that the prescribed period of therapeutic light exposure may be reduced with no loss in clinical efficacy, but with a consequent improvement in patient tolerance to this therapy.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis for the characterization of the 5,10,15,20-tetrakis- (m-hydroxyphenyl)bacteriochlorin (m-THPBC) photoproducts in biological environment

Photoproducts formation upon irradiation (739 nm) of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(m-hydroxyphenyl)bacteriochlorin (m-THPBC) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) supplemented with human serum albumin (HSA) were studied by means of absorption spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The experiments were performed with a freshly prepared PBS-HSA solution of m-THPBC and with a PBS-HSA m-THPBC solution incubated for 6 h at 37 degrees C. The incubation of m-THPBC solution leads to the dye monomerisation, whereas in the freshly prepared solution, m-THPBC is under an aggregated form. Regardless of the incubation condition, photobleaching experiments carried out by absorption spectroscopy demonstrate the degradation of the photosensitizer and its phototransformation in m-THPC. Moreover, m-THPC was the sole photoproduct detected using absorption spectroscopy. Together with a degradation of m-THPBC and formation of m-THPC, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry evidenced several other photoinduced modifications. Photoproducts such as dihydroxy m-THPBC and dihydroxy m-THPC were detected in both conditions; however, the formation of hydroxylated photoproducts was significantly greater in incubated solution. In addition, small molecules arising from the degradation of the photosensitizer and identified as dipyrin derivatives and dipyrrolic synthon were observed.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of fluorescence photobleaching and recovery in human breast tissue and tissue phantoms

Photobleaching and recovery of 488-nm excited fluorescence from resected human breast tissue samples have been studied. Profiles of photobleaching decay were seen to be faster in cancerous tissue than in those of the normal tissue. The reverse behavior was observed in profiles of recovery after photobleaching. A theoretical model based on one-dimensional diffusion theory has been developed to provide insight into the phenomena of fluorescence during photobleaching and recovery in a multiply scattering medium such as tissue. To understand photobleaching and recovery with the help of this theoretical model, we carried out experiments with model media that were prepared with authentic fluorophores, scatterers, and absorbers. The results of these studies suggest that the fluorescence photobleaching profiles are affected more by the absorption than by the scattering properties of a turbid medium such as tissue. In contrast, the scattering properties of the medium are found to affect the fluorescence recovery profiles to a greater extent. These observations could be related to the observed difference in fluorescence photobleaching and recovery profiles of normal and cancerous breast tissues.

Pharmacokinetics of Photogem using fluorescence monitoring in Wistar rats

In this study we investigated the pharmacokinetics of a hematoporphyrin derivative (Photogem) in Wistar rats using the fluorescence spectroscopy to evaluate the drug distribution in liver, kidney and skin tissues. The detection system is composed of a 532 nm exciting laser, a Y-type catheter for light delivery and collection, a monochromator and a computer for data acquisition. The analysis of the fluorescence spectra was based on the intensity of porphyrin emission bands from specific tissues of the investigated organ. A simple transport model is proposed to determine the accumulation and elimination times for each type of investigated tissue. The obtained results show the viability of the fluorescence spectroscopic technique for the drug concentration monitoring in different target tissues and related pharmacokinetics. These effects should be considered before any in vivo study of Photodynamic Therapy using Photogem.

Fluorescence microspectroscopy technique for the study of intracellular protoporphyrin IX dynamics

We describe a technique designed to monitor the fluorescence dynamics of photosensitizers used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) at micrometer-scale locations within individual formalin-fixed cells. The accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) within keratinocytes and fibroblasts. following incubation with 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA), is shown to be dependent upon both incubation time and cell proliferation status. Also, the process of photobleaching within these cells is demonstrated via the depletion in PpIX fluorescence emission during exposure to 532 nm light. All spectra show a progressive reduction of the 634 nm PpIX peak, following a bi-exponential decay that is consistent with a singlet oxygen mediated process. The rate of photobleaching, when plotted as a function of light dose, increases with reduced incident laser power. The generation of the hydroxyaldehyde-chlorin photoproduct (photoprotoporphyrin), as monitored by the increase in fluorescence emission centered on 672 nm, is also greatest when the lowest laser power is applied. When light is delivered in two fractions, PpIX fluorescence recovers during the dark period and there is an increase in bleaching rate at the onset of the second exposure. These results are qualitatively consistent with measurements performed in vivo, which demonstrate that the photodynamic dose is dependent upon fluence rate and oxygen status.

Monitoring photoproduct formation and photobleaching by fluorescence spectroscopy has the potential to improve PDT dosimetry with a verteporfin-like photosensitizer

In current clinical practice, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is carried out with prescribed drug doses and light doses as well as fixed drug-light intervals and illumination fluence rates. This approach can result in undesirable treatment outcomes of either overtreatment or undertreatment because of biological variations between different lesions and patients. In this study, we explore the possibility of improving PDT dosimetry by monitoring drug photobleaching and photoproduct formation. The study involved 60 mice receiving the same drug dose of a novel verteporfin-like photosensitizer, QLT0074, at 0.3 mg/kg body weight, followed by different light doses of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 J/cm2 at 686 nm and a fluence rate of 70 mW/cm2. Photobleaching and photoproduct formation were measured simultaneously, using fluorescence spectroscopy. A ratio technique for data processing was introduced to reliably detect the photoproduct formed by PDT on mouse skin in vivo. The study showed that the QLT0074 photoproduct is stable and can be reliably quantified. Three new parameters, photoproduct score (PPS), photobleaching score (PBS) and percentage photobleaching score (PBS%), were introduced and tested together with the conventional dosimetry parameter, light dose, for performance on predicting PDT-induced outcome, skin necrosis. The statistical analysis of experimental results was performed with an ordinal logistic regression model. We demonstrated that both PPS and PBS improved the prediction of skin necrosis dramatically compared to light dose. PPS was identified as the best single parameter for predicting the PDT outcome.

Chlorin-type photosensitizers photochemically derived from vinyl porphyrins

The reaction of singlet oxygen with four vinyl-substituted dicarboxylic porphyrins, vinyldeuteroporphyrin (VD), ethylvinyldeuteroporphyrin (EVD), hydroxyethylvinyldeuteroporphyrin (HVD) and protoporphyrin (PP) in organic solutions is investigated. The main products, the "hydroxyaldehyde" chlorin-type derivatives, are formed with a concentration-dependent photochemical quantum yield that reaches a maximum of 7.4 +/- 1.6 x 10(-3). However, owing to the high turnover of singlet-oxygen production, these chlorin-type compounds are easily prepared photochemically with a chemical yield of 70% and little side product formation. In chemical ionization mass spectrometry, these compounds display an unusual fragmentation with a loss of 16 mass units. This is attributed to the loss of the oxygen bound to the saturated carbon of the modified pyrrole unit. All these compounds sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen with a yield around 0.8. They interact with singlet oxygen with rate constants of 5 x 10(6)-9 x 10(6) M-1 s-1, lower than those measured for vinyl porphyrins. These data are likely to help in the characterization of photoproducts of vinyl porphyrins relevant to photodynamic therapy (PP, HVD). As exemplified with VD and EVD, they also point out the reaction of singlet oxygen as an efficient route to chlorin-type photosensitizers.

Green fluorescent protein photobleaching: a model for protein damage by endogenous and exogenous singlet oxygen

Characterization of protein damage during photosensitization of chlorin e6-treated cells was performed using the green fluorescent protein (GFP). The GFP-chromophore damage caused by singlet oxygen was studied in COS 7 kidney cells and E. coli bacteria following light irradiation. Electron spin resonance (ESR) revealed the generation of endogenous singlet oxygen (1O2) by photoactivated GFP, an effect similar to that produced by the exogenous photosensitizer chlorin e6. A light dose-dependent photobleaching effect of GFP was pronounced at low pH or upon photosensitization with chlorin e6. However, the 1O2 quenchers beta-carotene and sodium azide minimized GFP photo-bleaching. Gel electrophoresis of photosensitized GFP followed by fluorescence multi-pixel spectral imaging revealed the binding of chlorin e6 to GFP, affecting the photobleaching efficacy. Fluorescence multi-pixel spectral imaging of GFP-transfected COS 7 cells demonstrated the presence of GFP in the cytoplasm and nucleus, while chlorin e6 was found to be concentrated in the perinuclear vesicles. Exposure of the cells to light induced GFP photobleaching in the close vicinity of chlorin e6 vesicles. We conclude that photoactivated GFP generates endogenous 1O2, inducing chromophore damage, which can be enhanced by the cooperation of exogenous chlorin e6.

Phototransformations of 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX in vitro: a spectroscopic study

Human adenocarcinoma cells of the line WiDr were incubated with 5-aminolevulinic acid to induce protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and then exposed to laser light of wavelength 635 nm. The PpIX fluorescence decreased with increasing exposure. The decay rate was slightly dependent on the initial PpIX concentration. The PpIX fluorescence was halved by a fluence of about 40 J/cm2. Several fluorescing photoproducts were formed. The main one, supposedly the chlorine-type photoprotoporphyrin (Ppp), had a fluorescence excitation spectrum stretching out to about 680 nm with a maximum at around 668 nm. The formation kinetics of this product was dependent on the initial PpIX concentration. Moreover, it was selectively bleached by exposure to light at 670 nm. A photoproduct with an emission maximum at 652 nm, different from Ppp, remained after this exposure. Traces of a photoproduct(s) with fluorescence emission slightly blue-shifted compared with that of PpIX, supposedly water-soluble porphyrins, were also detected after light exposure.

Photodetection of early human bladder cancer based on the fluorescence of 5-aminolaevulinic acid hexylester-induced protoporphyrin IX: a pilot study

Exogenous administration of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) is becoming widely used to enhance the endogenous synthesis of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and fluorescence photodetection (PD). Recently, results have shown that the chemical modification of ALA into its more lipophilic esters circumvents limitations of ALA-induced PpIX like shallow penetration depth into deep tissue layers and inhomogeneous biodistribution and enhances the total PpIX formation. The present clinical pilot study assesses the feasibility and the advantages of a topical ALA ester-based fluorescence photodetection in the human bladder. In this preliminary study 5-aminolaevulinic acid hexylester (h-ALA) solutions, containing concentrations ranging from 4 to 16 mM, were applied intravesically to 25 patients. Effects of time and drug dose on the resulting PpIX fluorescence level were determined in vivo with an optical fibre-based spectrofluorometer. Neither local nor systemic side-effects were observed for the applied conditions. All conditions used yielded a preferential PpIX accumulation in the neoplastic tissue. Our clinical investigations indicate that with h-ALA a twofold increase of PpIX fluorescence intensity can be observed using 20-fold lower concentrations as compared to ALA.