Evidence against singlet oxygen formation by sonolysis of aqueous oxygen-saturated solutions of Hematoporphyrin and rose bengal. The mechanism of sonodynamic therapy.

The possible role of singlet oxygen in the mechanism of sonodynamic therapy, the synergistic effect of ultrasound and certain sonosensitizers, was investigated. We used 4,4'-bis(1-p-carboxyphenyl-3- methyl-5-hydroxyl)-pyrazole (DRD 156), a sensitive new reagent which reacts specifically with singlet oxygen (1O2) but not with OH radicals, superoxide anion radicals or H2O2, to produce an EPR detectable signal. Sonolysis (48 kHz) of 90% D2O oxygen-saturated PBS solutions of Hematoporphyrin or Rose Bengal did not lead to the formation of detectable EPR signals of the semiquinone radical of DRD156. In contrast, the EPR signal of the semiquinone radical of DRD156 was observed during photoirradiation of Hematoporphyrin at 505 nm or of Rose Bengal at 544 nm. These results are inconsistent with a major role for singlet oxygen formation in the sonolysis of aqueous solutions of these compounds. An alternative mechanism for sonodynamic therapy involving peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals is discussed.