Binding, aggregation and photochemical properties of methylene blue in mitochondrial suspensions

Methylene Blue (MB) has well-established photochemical properties and has been used in a variety of photochemical applications including photodynamic therapy. Despite the fact that most of MB's cytotoxic effects in cells are attributed to mitochondrial damage, the interactions of this dye with mitochondria and the consequent effects on photochemical properties have not yet been fully determined. We monitored MB binding, aggregation and its ability to release singlet oxygen (1O2) on irradiation when interacting with mitochondrial suspensions. MB actively binds to mitochondria and enters the matrix in a manner stimulated by the mitochondrial proton potential and by the increase in mitochondrial concentrations. The greater accumulation of MB in mitochondria with elevated proton potentials or those treated with high concentrations of MB results in the formation of MB dimers, previously shown to be less effective generators of 1O2. Accumulation of MB within mitochondria with high membrane potentials also results in the reduction of MB to the photochemically inactive leuco-MB. Indeed, irradiation of mitochondria with high proton potentials in the presence of MB results in the generation of approximately half the quantity of 1O2 compared with 1O2 generated in mitochondria with low proton potentials. These differences in photochemical properties should influence the cytotoxic effects of photodynamic treatment in the presence of MB.     

A clean, well-defined solid system for photosensitized 1O2 production measurements

Generation of singlet molecular oxygen ((1)O(2)) by photosensitization with methylene blue (MB) supported in Nafion-Na films has been quantified by integration of the (1)O(2) emission decay at 1270 nm. The quantum yield of (1)O(2) production (Phi(Delta)) in the air-equilibrated solid phase is 0.24 +/- 0.03. Information on the (1)O(2) generation environment has been gained from complementary techniques such as UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, as well as MB fluorescence and triplet-triplet absorption decay. Results are compared with the (1)O(2) generation by MB in methanol solution (Phi(Delta) = 0.51) and in methanol-swollen Nafion films (Phi(Delta) = 0.49 +/- 0.06). Differences and similarities are discussed in terms of the factors that influence Phi(Delta) in solution and in the solid media. The optical and mechanical features of Nafion, ease of dye loading, compatibility with most solvents, homogeneity, reproducibility and stability of the photosensitizing material makes it a convenient reference for (1)O(2) generation quantum yield measurements in transparent (micro)heterogeneous and homogeneous media.     

Anticancer Photodynamic Therapy Properties of Sulfur‐Doped Graphene Quantum Dot and Methylene Blue Preparations in MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cell Culture

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a field with many applications including chemotherapy. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) exhibit a variety of unique properties and can be used in PDT to generate singlet oxygen that destroys pathogenic bacteria and cancer cells. The PDT agent, methylene blue (MB), like GQDs, has been successfully exploited to destroy bacteria and cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species generation. Recently, combinations of GQDs and MB have been shown to destroy pathogenic bacteria via increased singlet oxygen generation. Here, we performed a spectrophotometric assay to detect and measure the uptake of GQDs, MB and several GQD‐MB combinations in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Then, we used a cell counting method to evaluate the cytotoxicity of GQDs, MB and a 1:1 GQD:MB preparation. Singlet oxygen generation in cells was then detected and measured using singlet oxygen sensor green. The dye, H₂DCFDA, was used to measure reactive oxygen species production. We found that GQD and MB uptake into MCF‐7 cells occurred, but that MB, followed by 1:1 GQD:MB, caused superior cytotoxicity and singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species generation. Our results suggest that methylene blue's effect against MCF‐7 cells is not potentiated by GQDs, either in light or dark conditions.     

Photodynamic characterization and in vitro application of methylene blue-containing nanoparticle platforms

This article presents the development and characterization of nanoparticles loaded with methylene blue (MB), which are designed to be administered to tumor cells externally and deliver singlet oxygen (1O2) for photodynamic therapy (PDT), i.e. cell kill via oxidative stress to the membrane. We demonstrated the encapsulation of MB, a photosensitizer (PS), in three types of sub-200 nm nanoparticles, composed of polyacrylamide, sol-gel silica and organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL), respectively. Induced by light irradiation, the entrapped MB generated 1O2, and the produced 1O2 was measured quantitatively with anthracene-9,10-dipropionic acid, disodium salt, to compare the effects of different matrices on 1O2 delivery. Among these three different kinds of nanoparticles, the polyacrylamide nanoparticles showed the most efficient delivery of 1O2, but its loading of MB was low. In contrast, the sol-gel nanoparticles had the best MB loading but the least efficient 1O2 delivery. In addition to investigating the matrix effects, a preliminary in vitro PDT study using the MB-loaded polyacrylamide nanoparticles was conducted on rat C6 glioma tumor cells with positive photodynamic results. The encapsulation of MB in nanoparticles should diminish the interaction of this PS with the biological milieu, thus facilitating its systemic administration. Furthermore, the concept of the drug-delivering nanoparticles has been extended to a new type of dynamic nanoplatform (DNP) that only delivers 1O2. This DNP could also be used as a targeted multifunctional platform for combined diagnostics and therapy of cancer.     

Singlet oxygen reacts with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein and contributes to the formation of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein

Abstract There are controversial reports in the literature concerning the reactivity of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) with the redox probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH). By carefully preparing solutions in which (1)O(2) is quantitatively generated in the presence of DCFH, we were able to show that the formation rate of the fluorescent molecule derived from DCFH oxidation, which is 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF), increases in D(2)O and decreases in sodium azide, proving the direct role of (1)O(2) in this process. We have also prepared solutions in which either (1)O(2) or dication (MB(*2+)) and semi-reduced (MB(*)) radicals of the sensitizer and subsequently super-oxide radical (O(2)(*-)) are generated. The absence of any effect of SOD and catalase ruled out the DCFH oxidation by O(2)(*-), indicating that both (1)O(2) and MB(*2+) react with DCFH. Although the formation of DCF was 1 order of magnitude larger in the presence of MB(*2+) than in the presence of (1)O(2), considering the rate of spontaneous decays of these species in aqueous solution, we were able to conclude that the reactivity of (1)O(2) with DCFH is actually larger than that of MB(*2+). We conclude that DCFH can continue to be used as a probe to monitor general redox misbalance induced in biologic systems by oxidizing radicals and (1)O(2).     

Solution-phase monitoring of the structural evolution of a Molybdenum Blue nanoring

The inorganic host-guest complex Na(22){[Mo(VI)(36)O(112)(H(2)O)(16)]?[Mo(VI)(130)Mo(V)(20)O(442)(OH)(10)(H(2)O)(61)]}·180H(2)O ≡ {Mo(36)}?{Mo(150)}, compound 1, has been isolated in its solid crystalline state via unconventional synthesis in a custom flow reactor. Carrying out the reaction under controlled flow conditions selected for the generation of {Mo(36)}?{Mo(150)} as the major product, allowing it to be reproducibly isolated in a moderate yield, as opposed to traditional "one-pot" batch syntheses that typically lead to crystallization of the {Mo(36)} and {Mo(150)} species separately. Structural and spectroscopic studies of compound 1 and the archetypal Molybdenum Blue (MB) wheel, {Mo(150)}, identified compound 1 as a likely intermediate in the {Mo(36)} templated synthesis of MB wheels. Further evidence illustrating the template effect of {Mo(36)} to MB wheel synthesis was indicated by an increase in the yield and rate of production of {Mo(150)} as a direct result of the addition of preformed {Mo(36)} to the reaction mixture. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques were also used to corroborate the mechanism of formation of the MB wheels through observation of the individual cluster species in solution. DLS measurement of the reaction solutions from which {Mo(36)} and {Mo(150)} crystallized gave particle size distribution curves averaging 1.9 and 3.9 nm, consistent with the dimensions of the discrete clusters, which allowed the use of size as a possible distinguishing feature of these key species in the reduced acidified molybdate solutions and to observe the templation of the MB wheel by {Mo(36)} directly.     

Potential Involvement of Both Type I and Type II Mechanisms in M13 Virus Inactivation by Methylene Blue Photosensitization

We have investigated the mechanism of virus photoinactivation with methylene blue (MB) by conducting deuterium oxide (D₂O), azide ion (N₃^-) and oxygen-dependent, studies. Inactivation of M13 bacteriophage and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation by MB photosensitization were irradiation dose dependent. Inactivation of M13 was enhanced by D₂O and inhibited by N₃^-, suggesting that ¹O₂ participates in M13 inactivation by MB photosensitization. However, N₃^- did not inhibit M13 inactivation completely. On the other hand, deoxygenating the reaction solution still caused 52-67% of M13 inactivation observed in the presence of oxygen. These results suggest that ¹0₂-mediated (Type II) and sensitizer-mediated (Type I) reactions may both play roles in M13 inactivation by MB photosensitization.     

Electrochemical properties of myoglobin deposited on multi-walled carbon nanotube/ciprofloxacin film

We report the direct electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of myoglobin (MB) on a multi-walled carbon nanotube/ciprofloxacin (MWCNT/CF) film-modified electrode. A highly homogeneous MWCNT thin-film was prepared on an electrode surface using ciprofloxacin (CF) as a dispersing agent. MB was then electrochemically deposited onto the MWCNT/CF-modified electrode. The MB/MWCNT/CF film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). UV-vis spectra confirmed that MB retained its original state on the MWCNT/CF film. Direct electrochemical properties of MB on the MWCNT/CF film were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The formal potential and electron transfer rate constant were evaluated in pH 7.2 buffer solution as -0.327V and 300s(-1), respectively. In addition, the MB/MWCNT/CF-modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic properties for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). The MB/MWCNT/CF-modified electrode was used for the detection of H(2)O(2) at concentrations from 1×10(-6)M to 7×10(-4)M in pH 7.2 buffer solution. Overall, the MB/MWCNT/CF-modified electrode was very stable and has potential for development as a H(2)O(2) sensor.     

时间分辨光谱技术研究亚甲基蓝与小牛胸腺DNA的相互作用

采用时间分辨光谱技术研究了亚甲蓝与小牛胸腺DNA（MB-ctDNA）重水混合体系中MB敏化单态氧（1O2）动力学过程,以此进一步探讨MB与DNA的相互作用。结果表明显示,低浓度ctDNA和高浓度ctDNA的单态氧磷光动力学曲线有着明显不同,这些差异被归结为MB与DNA间结合方式和作用机制的改变。在低浓度ctDNA条件下,MB分子和ctDNA之间形成离子型结合物,MB的吸收带出现显著的减色效应,敏化1O2产量随DNA浓度增加而急剧下降,但ctDNA与1O2没有发生明显的相互作用;而在高浓度DNA时,MB分子和ctDNA之间的相互作用方式转变为以嵌入式结合为主,激发态MB与ctDNA间的能量转移和介质的粘度效应,改变了1O2的动力学特性,大大降低了光敏剂MB敏化1O2的产量,但1O2不为ctDNA所猝灭。这些结果阐明,在MB与DNA的混合体系中,敏化单态氧损坏DNA的Ⅱ型反应不是主要的PDT作用机制。     

Ag@AgBr光催化剂的制备及其可见光催化降解亚甲基蓝反应性能

采用沉积-沉淀及光还原法制备了Ag@AgBr等离子体光催化剂,利用X射线衍射、扫描电镜和紫外-可见漫反射光谱对其进行了表征,并考察了该等离子体光催化剂在可见光(λ420nm)下的催化性能,探讨了催化剂用量、pH值、亚甲基蓝初始浓度、H2O2添加量、循环使用及捕获剂对Ag@AgBr催化性能的影响.结果表明,当亚甲基蓝的初始浓度为10mg/L,催化剂用量为1g/L,pH=9.8时,光照12min后,亚甲基蓝的降解率高达96%,且样品经5次循环使用后活性基本保持不变;而少量H2O2的添加对光催化活性影响不大,过量的H2O2会降低光催化活性;乙二胺四乙酸捕获空穴后比异丙醇捕获·OH后的光催化活性降得更低.同时,对Ag@AgBr等离子体光催化剂可见光降解亚甲基蓝的催化机理进行了分析.     

Nonlinear magnetooptical effects caused by piezoelectric ferromagnetism in F3m-type Prussian blue analogues

The second harmonic generation (SHG) and magnetization-induced SHG (MSHG) of AMA[MB(CN)6]-type (F3m) Prussian blue analogues (i.e., CsCo[Cr(CN)6].0.5H2O and RbMn[Fe(CN)6]) were observed. A large interaction between the nonlinear optical response and magnetic spins was observed in CsCo[Cr(CN)6].0.5H2O. These observations of SHG and MSHG imply that AMA[MB(CN)6]-type Prussian blue analogues are piezoelectric above the Curie temperature (TC) and piezoelectric ferromagnet below TC.     

可见光响应的碳修饰纳米棒状p型CaFe2O4半导体光催化降解有机污染物

制备了C/CaFe2O4纳米棒复合材料,并考察了其光催化性能,同时深入研究了C修饰对CaFe2O4活性的影响.研究发现,复合材料的光催化降解活性与C和CaFe2O4的质量比密切相关.其最佳的碳含量为58 wt%,所得复合光催化剂对亚甲基蓝(MB)的降解速率常数达到0.0058 min-1,是铁酸钙的4.8倍.进一步研究表明,C修饰在CaFe2O4表面显著提高了样品对亚甲基蓝染料的吸附性能.吸附等温线结果发现,MB以单分子层形式吸附于CaFe2O4表面.总体而言,C覆盖在CaFe2O4表面可以使光生电子和空穴更有效的分离和传输,可以显著提高催化剂对MB的吸附性能,还可以增强样品对光的吸收能力,因而催化剂光催化降解MB性能增加.表征结果表明,复合光催化剂表面含有大量羧基和羟基基团,导致光催化剂表面带负电荷,从而有利于阳离子的MB的静电吸附.为了进一步验证该吸附机理,我们选择了另外两种染料分子,阳离子的罗丹明B和阴离子的甲基橙.结果显示,该光催化剂对罗丹明B同样具有较强的吸附能力和较好的光催化降解活性,但对甲基橙几乎没有吸附和光催化性能.这充分说明亚甲基蓝染料通过静电相互作用的形式吸附于催化剂表面,较好的吸附性能进一步促进了光催化剂的降解活性.为了讨论光催化机理,向反应体系中加入不同的捕获剂来研究光催化反应过程中产生的活性物种.研究显示,羟基自由基在光催化降解亚甲基蓝的反应中几乎没有作用,光生空穴发挥了次要作用,而超氧自由基在整个反应中发挥了主导作用.因此,光催化降解的机理如下:CaFe2O4在可见光激发下产生光生电子和空穴,电子快速转移到C材料的表面并与空气中的氧气反应生成超氧自由基,后者再与吸附在光催化剂表面的染料分子反应产生低毒或无毒的降解产物.此外,CaFe2O4价带上产生的空穴也可以直接将染料分子氧化成小分子产物.     

导电玻璃负载CuO/V_2O_5复合纳米纤维光电极的制备及光电催化性能

以聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)为高分子模板剂,乙酰丙酮钒(C_(15)H_(21)O_6V)和三水合硝酸铜[Cu(NO_3)_2·3H_2O]为原料,导电玻璃(FTO)为载体,结合溶胶-凝胶法和静电纺丝技术制备了前驱体纤维,经高温焙烧后得到分布均匀、具有纤维结构的导电玻璃负载的CuO/V_2O_5复合光电极(CuO/V_2O_5/FTO).采用热重-差热分析仪(TG-DTA)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)等对材料的结构进行表征,以亚甲基蓝(MB)为目标降解物,探讨了合成产物的光电催化性能.结果表明,CuO与V_2O_5能有效形成异质结构,其光电催化活性均比纯V_2O_5有明显提高,并且改变CuO与V_2O_5的比例对光电催化性能有较大影响,其中n(Cu)∶n(V)=1∶1时降解效率最高,达到96%.     

Enhanced photocatalytic and adsorptive degradation of organic dyes by mesoporous Cu/Al2O3-MCM-41: intra-particle mesoporosity, electron transfer and OH radical generation under visible light

Mesoporous Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 composite was synthesized by two step processes; in situ incorporation of high surface area mesoporous Al(2)O(3) (MA) into the framework of MCM-41 (in situ method) followed by impregnation of Cu(II) by incipient wetness method. The interesting thing is that starch was used for the first time as template for the preparation of high surface area MA. To evaluate the structural and electronic properties, these catalysts were characterized by low angle X-ray diffraction (LXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis DRS, FTIR and photoluminescent (PL) spectra. The various cationic dye such as methylene blue (MB), methyl violet (MV), malachite green (MG) and rhodamine 6G (Rd 6G) of high concentration 500 mg L(-1) were degraded and adsorbed very efficiently (100%) using the 5 Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 composite within 30 and 60 min, respectively. The high and quick removal of such concerted cationic organic dyes and also mixed dyes (MB+MV+MG+Rd 6G) by means of photocatalysis/adsorption is basically due to the combined effect three characteristics of synthesized mesoporous 5 Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 composite. These characteristics are intra-particle mesoporosity, electron transfer and ˙OH radical generation under solar light.     

Design and Synthesis of 2‐(5‐Phenylindol‐3‐yl)benzimidazole Derivatives with Antiproliferative Effects towards Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Activation of ROS‐Mediated Mitochondria Dysfunction

Benzimidazole derivatives are widely studied because of their broad‐spectrum biological activity, such as antitumor properties and excellent fluorescence performance. Herein, two types of 2‐(5‐phenylindol‐3‐yl)benzimidazole derivatives ( 1 a – 1 h and 2 a – 2 e ) were rationally designed and synthesized. When these compounds were investigated in vitro anti‐screening assays, we found that all of them possessed antitumor effect, in particular compound 1 b , which showed an outstanding antiproliferative effect on MDA‐MB‐231 cells (IC₅₀≈2.6 μm ). A study of the drug action mechanisms in cells showed that the antitumor activity of the compounds is proportional to their lipophilicity and cellular uptake; the tested compounds all entered the lysosome of MDA‐MB‐231 cells and caused changes in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and then caused mitochondrial damage. Apparent differences in the ROS levels for each compound suggest that the lethality of these compounds towards MDA‐MB‐231 cells is closely related to the ROS levels. Taken together, this study not only provides a theoretical basis for 2‐(5‐phenylindol‐3‐yl)benzimidazole anticarcinogens but also offers new thinking on the rational design of next‐generation antitumor benzimidazole derivatives.     

Magnetic and high rate adsorption properties of porous Mn(1-x)Zn(x)Fe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) adsorbents

Porous spinel ferrites Mn(1-x)Zn(x)Fe(2)O(4) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) are synthesized by a simple sol-gel method with egg white. All samples exhibit porous morphologies and large BET surface area (S(BET)). The substitution of Zn(2+) affects the magnetic properties of ferrites and the adsorption properties of methylene blue (MB) on ferrites, obviously. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of Mn(1-x)Zn(x)Fe(2)O(4) increases before x=0.4, and decreases with further increase of Zn(2+) substitution. This can be ascribed to the changes of the cationic distribution and the variation of spin arrangement in A-site and B-site of spinel structure. All samples show high adsorption capacity and the removal efficiencies of MB reach up to >90% within 3 h. The Zn(2+) substitution accelerates the adsorption rate and capacity of MB on Mn(1-x)Zn(x)Fe(2)O(4). The quickest adsorption occurred at x=0.2 and the largest adsorption capacity occurred at x=0.8.     

Spatially resolved cellular responses to singlet oxygen

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is unique amongst reactive oxygen species formed in cells in that it is an excited state molecule with an inherent upper lifetime of 4 micros in water. Whether the lifetime of 1O2 in cells is shortened by reactions with cellular molecules or reaches the inherent maximum value is still unclear. However, even with the maximum lifetime, the diffusion radius is only approximately 220 nm during three lifetimes (approximately 5% 1O2 remaining), much shorter than cellular dimensions indicating that the primary reactions of 1O2 will be subcellularly localized near the site of 1O2 formation. This fact has raised the question of whether spatially resolved cellular responses to 1O2 occur, i.e. whether responses can be initiated by generation and reaction of 1O2 at a particular subcellular location that would not have been produced by 1O2 generation at other subcellular sites. In this paper, we discuss examples of spatially resolved responses initiated by 1O2 as a function of distance from the site of generation of 1O2. Three levels are recognized, namely, a molecular level where the primary oxidation product directly modifies the behavior of a cell, an organelle level where the initial photo-oxidation products initiate mechanisms that are unique to the organelle and the cellular level where mediators diffuse from their site of formation to the target molecules that initiate the response. These examples indicate that, indeed, spatially resolved responses to 'O2 occur in cells.     

分子信标荧光探针用于抑癌基因ING1表达产物的定量测定

根据抑癌基因ING1基因的序列设计并合成了检测ING1转录产物的分子信标核酸探针,发展了一种快速测量从正常细胞系和鼻咽癌肿瘤细胞系提取的ING1转录产物的方法,所得结果与用逆转录结合PCR法(RT-PCR)得到的结果相吻合.并且,将能表达ING1基因的质粒转入肿瘤细胞进行培养后,再将分子信标转入肿瘤细胞,发现转导了质粒的肿瘤细胞比未转导质粒的肿瘤细胞内的荧光明显增强,从而进一步证实了所设计的分子信标核酸探针与ING1转录产物的结合.     

Amperometric measurement of ds-DNA content using a peroxidase-modified electrode

An enzyme electrode with a chemically amplified response for methylene blue (MB) was constructed from a glassy carbon electrode and a layer containing immobilized horseradish peroxidase (HRP). MB is reduced on the electrode but regenerated through the HRP-catalyzed reaction in the presence of H(2)O(2). The electroreduction/regeneration cycle for MB resulted in an amplified electrode response. The enzyme electrode was applied to the highly sensitive measurement of ds-DNA. The current for MB decreased in association with its complexation with DNA, and the current response caused by DNA was also amplified through the recycling processes. The detection limit of ds-DNA (from salmon testes) was as low as 5 ng ml(-1).     

Synchrotron radiation macrobeam and microbeam X-ray diffraction studies of interfacial crystallization of fats in water-in-oil emulsions

Using macrobeam and microbeam techniques, we performed synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) analyses of fat crystallization in water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion, in combination with DSC and polarized optical microscopic observation. Particular focus was on the crystallization of the fats around water droplets in the W/O emulsion systems using food emulsifiers of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) alone (PGPR emulsion), and PGPR and monobehenoylglycerol (MB) (PGPR+MB emulsion). We obtained the following results: (1) macrobeam SR-XRD confirmed that adding MB promoted fat crystallization during cooling, (2) microbeam SR-XRD indicated that the lamellar planes of fat crystals near the water and oil interfaces are arranged almost parallel to the interface planes in both PGPR emulsion and PGPR+MB emulsion, and (3) adding MB resulted in the formation of tiny fat crystals because it promoted crystallization, which occurred both in the bulk oil phase and at the W/O interfaces. The present study is the first to apply microbeam SR-XRD to observe the microscopic features of fat crystallization in W/O emulsion, following fat crystallization in the oil droplets in the oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion (Arima, S.; Ueno, S.; Ogawa, A.; Sato, K. Langmuir 2009, 25, 9777-9784).