title: The photodynamic action of rose bengal on Trypanosoma cruzi.
abstract: In the presence of light and oxygen, rose bengal causes oxidative damage to Trypanosoma cruzi. The production of lipid hydroperoxides was demonstrated by thin-layer chromatography, and severe ultrastructural alterations compatible with an increased permeability of the cells, which led to gradual osmotic swelling and ultimately to lysis, were observed by electron microscopy. As a result of this treatment, the infectivity of T. cruzi trypomastigotes in mice was abolished. In addition, under anaerobic conditions, rose bengal was found to undergo a one-electron reduction in intact T. cruzi epimastigotes to produce a carbon-centered free radical as demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The formation of this radical was also enhanced by light.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005609:Free Radicals; D008027:Light; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010100:Oxygen; D012395:Rose Bengal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D012395:Rose Bengal; D010100:Oxygen