title: Photosensitization of the endometrium with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid.
abstract: Photosensitization of the endometrium was attempted in vitro and in vivo by intrauterine administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid, which is converted to the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX. Protoporphyrin IX was found in both functional and basal layers of the endometrial glands at concentrations nine and 10 times higher than myometrium in in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively. Selective endometrial photosensitization is possible with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid, but it might not be distributed sufficiently evenly for use as a sensitizing agent in photodynamic ablation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Photobiology and Photodynamic Therapy, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gannon
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Holroyd
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Vernon
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lilford
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001711:Biotransformation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; C028025:protoporphyrin IX