Abstract: Enhancing effect of l-menthol and its derivatives, l-menthyl formate, l-menthyl acetate, and l-menthyl propionate, on skin permeation of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) through Yucatan micropig full-thickness skin was investigated using a Franz-type diffusion cell. ALA solutions were prepared using ethanol-water mixed solvents with l-menthol or the derivative. Skin permeation coefficients (Kp) of ALA with more than 3.0 wt% of l-menthol was significantly larger than that without l-menthol. In addition, Kp of ALA with the derivative increased as follows: l-menthol approximately l-menthyl propionate < l-menthyl formate < l-menthyl acetate. These results suggest that l-menthol and the derivative are effective to enhance ALA skin permeation.
Abstract: Influence of synthetic perfumes having diverse chemical structures such as eugenol, linalool, benzyl acetate, α-ionone, α-hexylcinnamaldehyde, and d-limonene on stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion composed of sodium dodecyl sulfate, n-dodecane, and water is investigated. Turbidity measurements of the O/W emulsion indicate that the emulsion is stabilized by adding the synthetic perfume, except for d-limonene, and that this tendency is remarkable in adding eugenol. The addition of the perfume, especially eugenol, shrinks oil droplets in the O/W emulsion, which inhibits coagulation and/or creaming of oil droplets. When adding eugenol, moreover, ζ-potential of oil droplets increases negatively, and viscosity of the external water phase of the emulsion rises drastically. The increment in ζ-potential and viscosity by the addition of eugenol also prevents oil droplets from coagulation and/or creaming and makes the O/W emulsion still more stable.
Abstract: Oxidation decomposition of unsaturated fatty acids with singlet oxygen generated from a photosensitizing agent was investigated in liposome bilayer membranes under a light irradiation condition. The liposome of which the bilayer membrane was composed of L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), and an unsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, or arachidonic acid) were prepared with Bangham's method. In irradiating the liposome dispersion with light ranged from 550 to 750 nm, the unsaturated fatty acid was decomposed through an oxidation reaction with singlet oxygen. The decomposition rate constant was obeyed as the following order: arachidonic acid > oleic acid > alpha-linolenic acid > linoleic acid. This result indicates that oleic acid is readily degraded despite its lower unsaturated degree. In addition, micropolarity and microfluidity of the hydrocarbon region in the liposome bilayer membrane including the unsaturated fatty acid and PpIX decreased with an increase in light irradiation time. These findings suggest that interaction among the hydrocarbon chains of DPPC in the liposome bilayer membrane is promoted by migration of the oxidized unsaturated fatty acid from the hydrocarbon region, leading to form close-packed and well-ordered orientation of the hydrocarbon chains.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical efficacy of phototherapy for acne vulgaris using a lamp light source, TheraBeam VR, emitting polymeric visible light with wavelengths over 500 nm. At 200 J of light irradiation for four acne patients once a week up to 13 weeks, the reduction rate of comedo was enhanced, compared to the non-irradiation side. Moreover, light irradiation suppressed the number of anaerobic bacteria including Propionibacterium acnes isolated from the cheek, resulting in comedo reduction. No patient experienced the deterioration of acne lesions and side effects during treatment, no patient complained of adverse effects with light irradiation. These results, therefore, suggest that phototherapy using TheraBeam VR is clinically effective to reduce comedo, but not to ameliorate inflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris.
Abstract: TiO2 nanocrystalline particles with monolayer adsorption of chlorin e6 trisodium salt (dye-TiO2 particles) were administered into a cancer cell, murine thymic lymphoma (EL-4). Irradiation of the polychromatic light (550-750 nm) that excites chlorin e6 significantly damaged the EL-4 cells. A higher cell-killing effect was found for the dye-TiO2 particle than for the system using chlorin e6 alone.
Abstract: We first-successfully fabricated mesoporous calcium phosphates by a regular sol-gel method using cationic surfactant aggregates as a template. Low-angle XRD and TEM observation indicated that a product included hexagonally packed mesoporous structure. Wide-angle XRD and FT-IR observation identified the product as monetite (CaHPO4), which is one of calcium phosphates.
Abstract: In order to improve protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) accumulation with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in cancer cells, we employed ALA esters (ALA methyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, and benzyl esters) and ALA amides (N-acetylamino-ALA and N-benzyloxycarbonylamino-ALA), and determined their effect on the accumulation of PpIX in murine thymic lymphoma cells cultivated in vitro. Changes in PpIX cellular fluorescence with the concentration of ALA and its derivatives and/or incubation time showed the order of PpIX accumulation for ALA and ALA esters as follows: ALA methyl ester<ALA<ALA propyl ester<ALA butyl ester<ALA benzyl ester<ALA hexyl ester<ALA octyl ester. However, N-acetylamino-ALA and N-benzyloxycarbonylamino-ALA were ineffective for PpIX accumulation. The order of PpIX accumulation for ALA and ALA esters was associated with that of their lipophilicity, except for ALA methyl and benzyl esters. The increase in PpIX accumulation with the lipophilicity of ALA esters is due to an enhancement in their passive diffusion or endocytosis through plasma membranes for the uptake of ALA (as ALA derivative). The PpIX accumulation deviation of ALA methyl and benzyl esters from the relationship between PpIX accumulation and the lipophilicity of ALA and ALA esters would be caused by the difference in the active uptake process related to amino acid transporters among ALA, ALA alkyl esters, and ALA benzyl ester.
Abstract: Adsorption condition and enzymatic activity of glucose oxidase (GOD) on polystyrene (PS) film surfaces modified with ozone aeration and UV irradiation (O3/UV) treatment were investigated. The total amount of GOD immobilized on the PS film modified with the O3/UV treatment in distilled water (PS-W film) was approximately twice as large as that on the film treated in an aqueous ammonia solution (PS-A film), whereas the specific activity of GOD on the PS-A film was four times higher than that on the PS-W film. In contrast, no enzymatic activity of GOD on the non-treated PS film was observed because of irreversible denaturation of the adsorbed GOD. We therefore conclude that the PS films modified by the O3/UV treatment in the aqueous media are effective in immobilizing GOD.
Abstract: We determined photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a flash wave (FW) and a continuous wave (CW) light, of which the fluence rate was 70.MU.W/cm2 for murine thymic gland lymphoma cells (EL-4) cultivated in vitro. The irradiation frequency and pulse width of the FW light were in the range of 1-32Hz and less than 1 millisecond, respectively and 5-Aminolaevulinic acid induced protoporphyrin IX (ALA-PpIX) was used as a photosensitizer. When EL-4 with ALA administeration was irradiated by the light for 4 hours (irradiation fluence : 1.0 J/cm 2), the survival rate of EL-4 by the FW light was lower than that by the CW light, except for the FW light with irradiation frequency of 32Hz and decreased gradually with decreasing irradiation frequency. Moreover, the FW light, especially at lower irradiation frequency, was superior to the CW light for the generation of singlet oxygen in an aqueous PpIX solution. Therefore, it was proven that the higher efficacy for EL-4 of the FW light would be caused by the greater generation of singlet oxygen in the cells.
Abstract: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-containing liposomes having various average diameters and/or positive surface charges were prepared, and their photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy for murine thymic lymphoma cells, EL-4 cells, cultivated in vitro was investigated. The PDT efficacy for EL-4 cells and the accumulation of ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in the cells increased with a decrease in the average diameter of liposomes. In particular, the ALA-containing liposomes smaller than 63.5 nm in diameter promoted the PDT efficacy in comparison with that of ALA alone. We also found no significant changes in PDT efficacy and PpIX accumulation with increasing positive surface charges of liposomes.
Abstract: Intractable acne on the body was clinically treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) combining oral administration of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) with polychromatic visible light from a metal halide lamp. The total number of body acne patients was 51. A 10 mg/kg B.W. of ALA was administered to the patients, and the acne lesions were exposed to the light emitted from the metal halide lamp. The wavelengths of the light ranged from 540 to 800 nm. The diameter of the irradiated area and the irradiating distance from the lamp were 100 mm and 130 mm, respectively. Under the irradiation conditions, the total fluence rate and the energy-density uniformity of the light were 69.2 mW/cm2 and 11.5%. The total light energy dose in one session was 60-80 J/cm2 for the body. All patients underwent two sessions of PDT and received no other treatments after PDT or during the follow-up period. The interval between the two PDT sessions was 2-4 weeks. The physician's clinical assessment scores as worsened, unchanged, improved, and markedly improved were 0 (0%), 4 (7.8%), 16 (31.4%), and 31 (60.8%) patients, respectively. Adverse effects of very slight discomfort, burning, and stinging were reported during the irradiation. The blood tests of patients before and after oral administration of ALA demonstrated that no liver dysfunction occurred in this study with ALA dosages within 10 mg/kg B.W. Consequently, orally administered ALA-PDT with a metal halide lamp was considered to be effective for treatment of acne on the body.
Abstract: Sintering behavior and bioactivity of diopside, CaMgSi(2)O(6), prepared by a coprecipitation process were examined for its biomedical applicability. As-prepared powder was synthesized by adding aqueous ammonia to an ethanol solution containing Ca(NO(3))(2).4H(2)O, Mg(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O, and Si(OC(2)H(5))(4) and characterized by means of TG-DTA, XRD, and TG-MS. The dried powder was X-ray amorphous and crystallized into diopside at 845.5 degrees C. The glass network formation by SiO(4) tetrahedra was almost completed below 800 degrees C. The bioactivity of the diopside prepared by sintering the compressed powder at 1100 degrees C for 2h was evaluated by immersion of the sintered body in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at 36.5 degrees C. Leaf-like apatite particles were found to be formed on the surface of the sintered body and grew with passage of soaking time. This apatite-forming behavior in the SBF is related to the dissolution of Ca(II) ions from the sintered body in the early stage of immersion. Thus, diopside prepared by the coprecipitation process using the metal alkoxide and the metal salts was found to have an apatite-forming ability.
Abstract: Generation of singlet oxygen in protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) solubilizing surfactant solutions irradiated with light was investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone hydrochloride (TMPD) as a spin label probe. The surfactants employed in this study were sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), and dodecyl hexaethylene glycol ether (C12EO6). When PpIX solubilizing solutions were irradiated with light, the ESR signal of TMPD nitroxide radical was observed in SDS and DTAB solutions, whereas no ESR signal appeared in C12EO6 solutions. The ESR signal of TMPD nitroxide radical disappeared in SDS and DTAB solutions when histidine, a quencher of singlet oxygen, was added, which indicates that the ESR signal is assigned to TMPD oxidized by singlet oxygen. Taking into account the solubility of PpIX in water and the distribution of TMPD between micelle and water phases, moreover, we consider that singlet oxygen generated in SDS and DTAB micellar phase is released to water bulk phase. It was also found that ESR signal of TMPD nitroxide radical in SDS system was gradually reduced at a longer period of irradiation. These results show that DTAB system is very useful to determine singlet oxygen generated by water-insoluble photosensitizing agents in water media by ESR spectroscopy with TMPD. In addition, light irradiation ranging from 350 to 450 nm generated singlet oxygen more than that from 550 to 750 nm in DTAB solutions.
Abstract: Removal of phosphorus, a cause of eutrophication of rivers, lakes and marshes, was attempted using a dephosphorizing agent (bio-cement) prepared from cattle bone ash and alumina cement. When the dephosphorizing agent was immersed in an aqueous phosphate solution, phosphorus adsorption by the agent was noticed: that is, removal of phosphorus was confirmed. Phosphorus in aqueous solution is recovered through formation of calcium phosphates on the dephosphorizing agent, while calcium ion and hydroxyl ion are supplied from the agent. Alumina cement and bone ash at a weight ratio 1 : 5 in the dephosphorization agent showed the highest removal efficiency of phosphorous. Furthermore, the removal efficiency of phosphorous increased with decreasing diameter of the agent. This would be attributable not only to the increase in the surface area, but also to the increment in hydroxide ions supplied from the agent.
Abstract: The effect of aromatic compounds on prevention of release of chlorine gas from sodium hypochlorite-hydrochloric acid mixed solutions was investigated. It was shown that the aromatic compounds possessing a resonance-effect-relying electron donating group is efficient to prevent chlorine gas release. This effect is found to be based on an electrophilic reaction of the aromatic compound with chlorocationic ion produced in the mixed solutions. A toilet bowl cleaner and a mold remover with sodium hypochlorite were developed utilizing polyoxyethylene phenyl ether and sodium methoxybenzene sulfonate, as halogen scavenger, which have high efficiency to prevent chlorine gas release.
Abstract: Solubilization techniques by surfactants are very useful to dissolve perfumes into many industrial products having the medium of water. Since the molecular structures of perfumes are intricate, it is difficult to predict solubilization of perfumes. In the present review, the solubility of perfumes into micellar phase and their solubilization mechanism were described. The characteristics of solubilization of perfumes in a variety of systems: solubilization of binary mixed perfume system, solubilization by mixed surfactant system, and solubilization by concentrated surfactant solution system, were also shown in this review. Moreover, mechanism of volatility of perfumes from aqueous surfactant solutions and controlled release of perfumes using phase transition of aqueous surfactant solutions were explained.
