ON THE QUENCHING OF SINGLET OXYGEN BY α-TOCOPHEROL

Abstract —D-α-tocopherol was found to be an effective quencher of ¹O₂ molecules ( k = 2.5 times 10⁸→mol^-1 s^-1 in pyridine) by measuring its effect on the autosensitized photooxidation of rubrene. The quenching process was shown to be almost entirely 'physical', that is, α-tocopherol deactivated about 120 ¹O₂ molecules before being destroyed. The results suggest that this process may be a mechanism for the protective effect of α - tocopherol in photodynamic action.     

AN INVESTIGATION OF RETINAL AS A SOURCE OF SINGLET OXYGEN

Abstract— All -trans retinal is dissolved in alcohols and illuminated at 365 nm in the presence of a singlet oxygen acceptor, 2,5-dimethylfuran. Illumination produces the photosensitized oxidation of the acceptor which is measured by the disappearance of its 215 nm absorption band. A kinetic study is carried out and β_DMF is 1.6 × 10^--⁴ M . The quantum yield of ¹O₂ production from the light-excited retinal is estimated to 0.096. The retinal sensitized photooxidation of dimethylfuran is inhibited by a ¹O₂ quencher, 1,4-diazabicyclo(2,2,2)-octane, and enhanced by deuteration of the solvent. Deuterated solvents are known to increase ¹O₂ lifetime.
The production of ¹O₂ from retinal is briefly discussed in relation to the damage which may be induced by light in the visual cells.     

LUMIFLAVIN-SENSITIZED PHOTOOXYGENATION OF INDOLE

Abstract— The lumiflavin-sensitized photooxygenation of indole in aqueous solutions has been investigated by means of steady light photolysis and flash photolysis. The semiquinone of lumiflavin and the half-oxidized radical of indole were formed by the reaction between triplet lumiflavin and indole (3.7 times 10⁹ M ^-1 s^-1). The semiquinone anion radical of lumiflavin reacted with oxygen to form superoxide radical. The triplet state of lumiflavin also reacted with oxygen forming singlet oxygen, ¹O₂. But the reaction between ¹O₂ and indole (7 times 10⁷ M^_l s^_1; estimated from steady light photolysis using Rose Bengal as a sensitizer) was far less efficient than the reaction between indole and triplet lumiflavin. The quantum yield of the lumiflavin-sensitized photooxygenation of dilute indole via radical processes was much higher than that via ¹O₂ processes, though appreciable ¹O₂ was formed.     

RATE CONSTANTS FOR INTERACTION OF 1O21Δg) WITH AZIDE ION IN WATER

Abstract— The rate constant for quenching of ¹O₂ by azide ion in water was determined to be (5.0 ± 0.4) × 10⁸ M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ using a variety of sensitizers (including humic acids) and ¹O₂ acceptors. The apparent second-order rate constant decreases with pH below pH 5.5 in accordance with the protonation of azide ion to form hydrazoic acid (p K _a= 4.6). Quenching by hydrazoic acid is at least 2 orders of magnitude slower than by azide ion. Greater than 99% of all interactions between ¹O₂ and azide ion involve physical quenching rather than chemical reaction. Humic acid triplets are not significantly quenched by azide ion at concentrations less than 2 m M , allowing azide ion quenching to be used as a diagnostic test for the intermediacy of ¹O₂ in photosensitized oxidations in natural surface waters.     

STEADY-STATE NEAR-INFRARED DETECTION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN: A STERN-VOLMER QUENCHING EXPERIMENT WITH SODIUM AZIDE

Abstract— A sensitive near-infrared detection system incorporating improvements to existing methodologies has been used to characterize the sodium azide quenching of the steady-state luminescence of singlet molecular oxygen at 1270 nm. Stern-Volmer plots which were linear up to 80% quenching of the ¹O₂ generated by rose bengal and eosin Y yielded a rate constant of 5.8 ± 0.1 times 10⁸ M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the quenching of ¹O₂ in water, while the rate constants obtained in deuterium oxide with the same sensitizers were 6.28 times 10⁸ M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 6.91 times 10⁸ M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively. A flow system minimized the effects of photobleaching of the rose bengal. With a mercury arc light source, the instrument can be used in photosensitization experiments to detect low levels of ¹O₂ production in aqueous media.     

KINETIC STUDIES OF SELF-SENSITIZED PHOTOOXYGENATION IN H2O AND D2O OF A WATER-SOLUBLE RUBRENE DERIVATIVE

Abstract A continuous argon laser has been used to study the self-sensitized photooxidation of potassium rubrene-2,3,8,9-tetracarboxylate in oxygen-saturated H₂O and D₂O. An analysis of the data obtained in concentrated solutions leads to an unexpected high value of the ratio of ¹O₂ lifetimes in D₂O and H₂O, ^T d ₂o/^T h ₂o =17 ± 1. Results obtained in diluted aqueous solutions are interpreted in terms of a re-encounter of ¹O₂ and ground state substrate molecules generated in the same triplet—triplet annihilation act.     

DETERMINATION OF SINGLET OXYGEN RATE CONSTANTS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Abstract— A very efficient quenching of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) by N₃^- ions has been applied to the determination of rate constants of reactions of ¹O₂ with various substrates (A). This determination has been made possible by choosing experimental conditions which give simple competition between N₃^- and A for ¹O₂ formed in the steady state irradiation of convenient sensitizing dye (S). The consumption of oxygen by the substrate, as followed with an oxygen analyzer, decreases in the presence of low concentrations of N₃^-. Using neutral air saturated aqueous solutions containing the dye phenosafranine + A and varying concentrations of N₃^-, the ¹O₂ rate constants for reactions with biological substrates and some radiation protective agents have been determined.     

SELECTIVE TYPE I PHOTOOXIDATIONS IN MIXTURES OF PORPHYRINS AND ELECTROPHILIC NITROIMIDAZOLES

Abstract— Electrophilic compounds metronidazole (METRO) and misonidazole (MISO), considerably enhance the photooxidation quantum yield of Type I photodynamic substrates such as Trp, Tyr and Cys. For the latter, the quantum yield of photooxidation which can be much greater than one, suggests radical chain reactions. On the other hand, METRO and MISO inhibit ¹O₂ formation because they react at diffusion controlled rate (∼10⁹ M⁻¹ S⁻¹) with porphyrin triplets forming, porphyrin radical cations. As a result, the porphyrins are still able to photosensitize the destruction of Type I substrates even in the absence of O₂. These results are discussed with respect to the possibility of increasing the sensitivity of hypoxic cells to porphyrin photosensitization.     

A NEW METHOD FOR THE DETECTION OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Abstract— In experiments on the interception of reactive intermediates of strongly oxidizing character in dye (S) sensitized photooxidations using p -nitrosodimethylaniline (RNO) as a selective scavenger, it has been observed that some substrates (A) or ¹O₂ acceptors (like imidazole derivatives) induce the bleaching of RNO as followed spectrophotometrically at 440 nm. Since singlet oxygen (¹O₂) does not react chemically with RNO, this bleaching is a consequence of ¹O₂ capture by the imidazole ring which results in the formation of a trans-annular peroxide intermediate [¹O₂] capable of inducing the bleaching of RNO (-RNO). In the absence of RNO, [¹O₂] decomposes or rearranges into the final oxygenation product ¹O₂: ¹Δ_g Thus, the system imidazole plus RNO can be used as a sensitive and selective test for the presence of ¹O₂ in aqueous solutions. The method can also be applied in the presence of sensitizing dyes which, under visible irradiation, can partially bleach RNO even in the absence of imidazole derivatives. In such a case, the bleaching of RNO is strongly increased by the presence of imidazoles with a characteristic dependence on their concentration. The separation of the product of RNO bleaching by thin layer chromatography can serve as additional proof of the presence of ¹O₂ in the system. The imidazole plus RNO method has been applied to a number of sensitizing and non-sensitizing dyes.     

THE PHOTOOXIDATION OF DIETHYLHYDROXYLAMINE BY ROSE BENGAL IN MICELLAR AND NONMICELLAR AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

The photooxidation of N,N -diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) by Rose Bengal (RB) has been investigated in micellar and nonmicellar aqueous solutions. We measured the quantum yield of oxygen consumption forming H₂O₂ and monitored two intermediates, the superoxide and diethylnitroxide radicals. When the pH was vaned, the quantum yield of oxidation remained constant for 6 < pH < 10.5, decreased in acidic pH, and increased considerably in NaOH solution; these changes could be attributed to the protonation and dissociation processes of the >N-OH moiety of DEHA. The formation of diethylnitroxide radical was enhanced by superoxide dismutase or strong alkaline solution. Around neutral pH, the oxidation proceeded mainly via electron transfer from DEHA to the RB triplet ( k _q = 10⁷ M ^-1 s^-1) with little ¹O₂ participation ( k_q < 10⁵ M ^-1 s^-1). However, when RB was incorporated into micelles in alkaline solution, the contribution of the singlet oxygen pathway increased at the expense of electron transfer, which was inhibited by the less polar micellar environment. Dark autoxidation of DEHA was accelerated by heavy metal impurities and increased very strongly in NaOH solution.     

EFFECT OF SODIUM AZIDE ON PHOTODYNAMIC INDUCTION OF GENETIC CHANGES IN YEAST

Abstract— In view of the increasing attention to ¹O₂ (¹Δ_g) participation in the photodynamic action, different types of genetic changes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by acridine orange sensitization were compared with respect to the response to N₃^-, a well known quencher of ¹O₂. The induction of mitotic crossing over with respect to ade 2 locus and mitotic gene conversion at trp 5 locus were suppressed by the addition of N₃^- suggesting the involvement of ¹O₂ as a major intermediate. However, the induction of reverse mutation at ilv 1 was only slightly suppressed. These results may indicate that there are two types of photodynamic DNA damage; one is produced via ¹O₂ and the other via non-¹O₂ reaction pathway which lead to mitotic gene conversion and mitotic crossing over, and to mutation, respectively.     

PHOTOOXIDATION OF A REFINED PETROLEUM OIL: INHIBITION BY β-CAROTENE AND ROLE OF SINGLET OXYGEN

Abstract— β-Carotene, at concentrations 0.1 m M , inhibits the formation of hydroperoxides and other oxidation products in a refined petroleum oil exposed to Pyrex-filtered UV. The effect appears to be due to ¹O₂ quenching. A mechanism incorporating ¹O₂ and radical processes is proposed as a model for environmental photooxidation of petroleum.     

USE OF TRIS (2,2'-BIPYRIDINE) RUTHENIUM(II) DICATION IN A NOVEL METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF SINGLET OXYGEN REACTION RATES: APPLICATION TO STUDIES OF GELATIN

Abstract— A novel method for the determination of singlet oxygen reaction rate constants is described and applied to studies of cyclohexadiene in methanol and gelatins in H₂O and D₂O. The technique uses tris (2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) dication (Ru(bipy)₃₂₊) as both singlet oxygen sensitizer and in situ oxygen concentration monitor during irradiation of sealed samples. Because of the high efficiency with which the luminescence of Ru(bipy)₃2+* can be detected, and the fact that emission lifetimes are used, the method offers some advantages over those previously described. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed. A rate constant of 2.1 (±0.3) x 10⁶ mol^-1 dm³ s^-1 has been determined for the reaction of ¹O₂ with cyclohexadiene in methanol. For two different photographic gelatins the sums of reaction and quenching rate constants are 2.0 (±0.4) x 10⁶ and 3.1 (±2.0) x 10⁵ mol^-1 dm³ s^-1; for swine skin gelatin this value is 3.9 (±2.4) × 10⁵ mol^-1 dm³ s^-1. Chemical reaction, rather than physical quenching, is the dominant reaction route for gelatins and ¹O₂.     

UVA self-photosensitized oxygenation of beta-ionone

The steady-state UVA (350 nm) photolysis of ( E )-β-ionone ( 1 ) in aerated toluene solutions was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The formation of the 1,2,4-trioxane ( 2 ) and 5,8-endoperoxide ( 5 ) derivatives in the ratio of 4:1 was observed. Time-resolved laser induced experiments at 355 nm, such as laser-flash photolysis, photoacoustic and singlet oxygen ¹O₂ phosphorescence detection, confirmed the formation of the excited triplet state of 1 with a quantum yield Φ _T = 0.50 as the precursor for the generation of singlet oxygen ¹O₂ ( Φ _Δ = 0.16) and the isomeric α-pyran derivative ( 3 ), which was a reaction intermediate detected by NMR. In turn, the reaction of ¹O₂ with 1 and 3 occurred with rate constants of 1.0 × 10⁶ and 2.5 × 10⁸  m ⁻¹s⁻¹ to yield the oxygenated products 5 and 2 , respectively, indicating the relevance of the fixed s-cis configuration in the α-pyran ring in the concerted [2+4] cycloaddition of ¹O₂.     

RELATION BETWEEN SOME PHOTOBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF FUROCOUMARINS AND THEIR EXTENT OF SINGLET OXYGEN PRODUCTION

Abstract— The production of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) by a series of furocoumarins with different skin sensitizing abilities has been investigated with methods already proven to be suitable to establish the ability of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) to generate ¹O₂.
The following compounds: 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), psoralen, 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) and 5,8–dimethoxypsoralen (5,8–DMOP), are able to generate ¹O₂ when irradiated with long–wave ultraviolet light. With the photobiologically inactive angelicin no ¹O₂ production has been found. The relative extent of ¹O₂ formation has been determined for the various furocoumarins and has been compared with literature data for the skin photosensitizing effect. The observed relation between experimental data on the one side and the literature data on the other side is discussed.     

Photochemical Reactions Involved in the Phototoxicity of the Anticonvulsant and Antidepressant Drug Lamotrigine (Lamictal®)

Lamotrigine (LTG) [3,5-diamino-6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazine], an anticonvulsant and antidepressant drug Lamictal^®, produces a (photo)toxic response in some patients. LTG absorbs UV light, generating singlet oxygen (¹O₂) with a quantum yield of 0.22 in CH₂Cl₂, 0.11 in MeCN and 0.01 in D₂O. A small production of superoxide radical anion was also detected in acetonitrile. Thus, LTG is a moderate photosensitizer producing phototoxicity and oxidizing linoleic acid. LTG is a weak ¹O₂ quencher ( k _q = 3.2 × 10⁵  m ⁻¹ s⁻¹ in MeCN), but its photodecomposition products in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) quenched ¹O₂ very efficiently. Upon intense UV irradiation from a xenon lamp, LTG was photobleached rapidly in DMSO and slowly in acetonitrile, alcohol and water. The rate increased significantly when laser pulses at 266 nm were employed. The photobleaching products generated ¹O₂ twice as strongly as LTG. Photobleaching was usually accompanied by the release of chloride anions, which increased in the presence of ascorbic acid. This suggests the formation of aryl radicals via dechlorination, a process which may be responsible for the photoallergic response observed in some patients. Our results demonstrate that LTG is a moderate generator of ¹O₂ prone to photodechlorination, especially in a reducing environment, which can contribute to the reported phototoxicity of LTG.     

FURTHER IN VIVO STUDIES ON THE PARTICIPATION OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN THE PHOTODYNAMIC INACTIVATION AND INDUCTION OF GENETIC CHANGES IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

Abstract —In vivo participation of singlet excited oxygen (¹O₂, ¹Δ9) in the photodynamic inactivation and induction of genetic changes (gene conversion) in acridine orange-sensitized yeast cells was investigated by using N₃^-, an efficient ¹O₂ quencher, and D²O, a known agent for the enhancement of the lifetime of ¹O₂. The addition of N₃^- protected the cells from both photodynamic actions. From an analysis of the concentration-dependent protection, about 80% of the induction of the genetic change is explainable on the basis of ¹O₂ mechanism. The quantitative estimation of the N₃^- protection in the inactivation was not possible because of the sigmoidal nature of the inactivation curve. The replacement of H₂O with D₂O during illumination was effective in enhancing the photodynamic inactivation but almost completely ineffective for the gene conversion induction. The deuterium effect with the cell system was clearly not as large as would be expected from in vitro experiments. This, however, could be explained from the kinetic consideration that natural quenchers of ^lO₂ in the cell would mask the deuterium effect. By experiments with different cell stages it was demonstrated that these two modifying effects were dependent on the intracellular reaction environment. The conclusion is that ¹O₂ must be the major intermediate responsible for the photodynamic actions in acridine orangesensitized yeast cells.     

Near-infrared Light Emission from Nanomolar-level Singlet Molecular Oxygen Generated with an Ultra low Concentration Mixture of Hypochlorite and Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract— We report the detection of a weak near-infrared light emission originating from 8 nM singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂) produced in a mixture of 1 m M hypochlorite (OC1^-) and 8 n M hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The measurements were made with a highly sensitive detection system for ultraweak light emission in the 1.0-1.5 μm wavelength region. The emission intensity exhibited linear dependence for H₂O₂ concentrations in the range of 8-670 n M . The mixture containing a lower concentration (33 μ M ) of OCl^- pseudocontinuously emitted near-infrared light for 5 s. The rate constant for ¹O₂ production obtained from the kinetic analysis agrees with that previously reported. Our results demonstrate the possibility of measuring very low concentrations of ¹O₂ in a OCi-/H₂O² mixture as well as ¹O₂ production in intact living systems.     

pH DEPENDENCE OF SINGLET OXYGEN PRODUCTION IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING THIAZINE DYES AS PHOTOSENSITIZERS

Abstract— The production of singlet oxygen by thiazine dye photosensitization, as measured by the rate of photooxidation of tryptophan, was found to be very sensitive to changes of pH in the range 5–9. For methylene blue in aerated solutions, the production of ¹O₂* is approximately five times more efficient in basic than in acidic medium. This was shown to be related to the p K 's of the triplet dyes, by evaluating the yields of ¹O₂* from the lifetimes and the quenching rate constants for the two ionic species of sensitizer triplets measured by laser flash photolysis. Changes in the quenching rate constants of the thiazine triplet states can be correlated with the triplet energies.     

PHOTO-OXIDATION EFFECTS ON β-HYDROXYBUTYRATE DEHYDROGENASE: STUDIES OF MEMBRANE FRAGMENTS AND INTACT MITOCHONDRIA

The influence of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), generated by red light irradiation of oxygenated suspensions containing aluminium phthalocyanine sulphonate, on the membrane bound enzyme β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase was investigated. The inactivation rates were measured using a spectrophotometry assay which involves disruption of the mitochondria. A novel NMR assay was also used to measure the activity of the enzyme in intact mitochondria. Relatively high inactivation rates of around 10⁹ M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ were observed in H₂O buffer, and rates in D₂O were a factor of 1.7 faster. Significant differences in enzyme inactivation rates by ¹O₂ were observed, not only between disrupted and intact mitochondria but also between the NMR assay results and the spectrophotometric assay results. The results indicate the value of a specific assay which does not require the disruption of the biological system.