Fluorescence properties of a hydrophilic sensitizer in pigmented rats, rabbits, and monkeys.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate fluorescence properties of mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6; Meija Seika Kaisha, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) photodynamic therapy, which allows real-time simultaneous imaging of choroidal and retinal vasculature during treatment without the addition of another dye.


METHODS
Four pigmented rabbits, 4 pigmented rats, and 2 African green monkeys were administered intravenous injections of the NPe6 dye. The animals were immediately placed in front of the scanning laser ophthalmoscope and the fundus was viewed with the helium-neon laser. The resulting fluorescence was viewed and recorded on super-VHS videotape.


RESULTS
Fluorescence demonstrated clearly that NPe6 entered the retinal and choroidal circulation within seconds of intravenous injection. The concentration of NPe6 was diminished over a period of 1.5 hours in the monkey and 5 hours in the rat, as evidenced by considerable diminution of the intensity of fluorescence.


CONCLUSIONS
NPe6 fluorescence allows evaluation of drug availability within the retinal and choroidal circulation and visualization of pathological lesions before commencement of photodynamic therapy.
Moshfeghi
D
D
LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine, New Orleans 70112-2234, USA.
Peyman
G A
GA
Kazi
A A
AA
Unal
M
M
Khoobehi
B
B
Yoneya
S
S
Mori
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D005453:Fluorescence; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007834:Lasers; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D014741:Video Recording
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; C053434:Talaporfin