The mechanism of photosensitization in photodynamic therapy: phosphorescence behavior of porphyrin derivatives in saline solution containing human serum albumin.

The phosphorescence properties, especially the dynamic behavior of metal free and metal complexed porphyrins, have been studied in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 0-3% human serum albumin (HSA). 6,7-Bisaspartyl-2,4-bis (1-hexyloxyethyl)-deutero- porphyrin (DP) and its gallium(III), zinc(II), and indium(III) complexes are used as photosensitizers. Upon irradiation, a solution of porphyrins containing more than 0.1% HSA shows phosphorescence with a lifetime longer than 1 ms. With an increase in irradiation time, phosphorescence intensities and lifetimes of porphyrins increase, depending upon their concentrations and triplet lifetimes, and approach saturated values close to those under deaerated conditions. The experimental results may be interpreted in terms of hypoxia induced by photosensitization in a local environment surrounding the sensitizer. The hypoxia is caused by the reaction between proteins and singlet molecular oxygen generated by photosensitization of porphyrins. Phosphorescence behavior of sensitizers in HSA PBS solution gives significant information for classifying photosensitizers as to their efficacy for photodynamic therapy.