ALA-induced fluorescence in the canine oral cavity.
OBJECTIVE
We examined whether 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) could enhance the spectroscopic contrast between normal and diseased oral tissues, without prolonged photosensitivity.


BACKGROUND
ALA is a promising photosensitizing agent.


METHODS
Adose of 25 mg/kg of ALA was administered intravenously to five dogs with gingivitis and three dogs with oral cancer, respectively. Fluorescence was recorded from the diseased sites in the oral cavity in addition to normal sites.


RESULTS
ALA-induced proto-porphyrin IX fluorescence at all gingivitis sites reached a peak in 2-3 h and returned to baseline in 24 h. Fluorescence from the gingivitis site was observed earlier and was higher than the fluorescence from the normal site. For dogs with cancer, fluorescence from the cancerous sites occurred earlier in time compared to gingivitis sites and was comparatively higher in intensity.


CONCLUSIONS
The fluorescence from the diseased sites was found to be higher than the normal site. Clinical and fluorescence data suggest that a dose of 25 mg/kg may be satisfactory for diagnostic purposes and would have minimal side effects.
Vaidyanathan
Vijay
V
Department of Engineering Technology, University of North Texas, Denton 76207, and Dallas Dental Service Animal Clinic, Texas, USA. vvaidyan@unt.edu
Wiggs
Robert
R
Stohl
Josh
J
Baxi
Mehul
M
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005453:Fluorescence; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid