EXPERIMENTAL-OBSERVATION OF PHOTOCHEMICALLY INDUCED OXYGEN DEPLETION IN PERFUSED CELLS UNDERGOING PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

This report presents a non invasive method for studying oxygen consump tion during photodynamic therapy in cultured cells. The oxygen partial pressure of perfusion medium flowing through cells cultured on microc arrier beads, was investigated before, during and after treatment. Phe ophorbide a was used as a sensitiser. Time-dependent measurements demo nstrate photochemical oxygen depletion induced by photosensitized reac tions, followed by an oxygen pressure increase were attributed to a re duction in the cells' metabolism.