A pilot study of the dynamics of tissue oxygenation in vivo using time-resolved phosphorescence imaging

Abstract

Oxygenation of tissues plays an important role in the development and progression of tumor to treatment effects. Method of metalloporphyrines phosphorescence quenching by oxygen is one of the ways to measure dynamics of the oxygen concentration in the tissues by phosphorescence lifetime imaging of meso-tetra(sulfopheny1)tetrabenzoporphyrin Pd (II) (TBP) using the time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) method. It has been shown that phosphorescence lifetime of the sensor in S37 tumor in vivo varied in the range of 130 to 290 [Formula: see text]s after both topical and intravenous administration of TBP. It indicates that oxygen level in tumors was lower compared to normal tissues where TBP phosphorescence has not been detected. Phosphorescence lifetimes of TBP increased in the solid tumor and in the muscle after photodynamic therapy of solid tumor that demonstrates oxygen consumption during treatment and possibly stopping the blood flow and hence the oxygen supply to the tissues.