Fol. Biol. 2011, 57, 12-19

https://doi.org/10.14712/fb2011057010012

Oxidative Photodamage Induced by Photodynamic Therapy with Methoxyphenyl Porphyrin Derivatives in Tumour-Bearing Rats

D. Daicoviciu1, Adriana G. Filip1, R. M. Ion2, S. Clichici1, N. Decea1, A. Muresan1

1Department of Physiology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2National R&D Institute of Chemistry and Petrochemistry – ICECHIM, Bucharest, Romania

Received July 2010
Accepted December 2010

The oxidative effects of photodynamic therapy with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (TMP) and Zn-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (ZnTMP) were evaluated in Wistar rats subcutaneously inoculated with Walker 256 carcinoma. The animals were irradiated with red light (λ = 685 nm; D = 50 J/cm2; 15 min) 3 h after intra-peritoneal administration of 10 mg/kg body weight of porphyrins. The presence of free radicals in tumours after photodynamic therapy with TMP and ZnTMP revealed by chemiluminescence of luminol attained the highest level at 18 h after irradiation. Lipid peroxides measured as thiobarbituric-reactive substances and protein carbonyls, which are indices of oxidative effects produced on susceptible biomolecules, were significantly increased in tumour tissues of animals 24 h after photodynamic therapy. The levels of thiol groups and total antioxidant capacity in the tumours were decreased. The activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were also increased in tumour tissues after photodynamic therapy. Increased levels of plasma lipid peroxides as well as changes in the levels of erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities suggest possible systemic effects of photodynamic therapy with TMP and ZnTMP.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Research and Youth by CEEX Program (102/2006).

References

36 live references