A direct sensitized fluorimetric determination of 5,10,15,20-tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin [m-THPC (Foscan)] in human plasma using a cyclodextrin inclusion complex.

The 5,10,15,20-tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (m-THPC) (Foscan) is a photosensitizer used in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancers which is currently under clinical trial. The formation of a m-THPC inclusion complex with dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (Me-beta-CD) in solution was demonstrated on the basis of circular dichroism experiments. A 1:2 complex stoichiometry was found and an inclusion constant beta 2 = 2.8(+/- 0.4) x 10(10) M-2 was determined. The formation of such a complex was shown to enhance the m-THPC fluorescence intensity. It could be exploited to improve the sensitivity of the direct m-THPC detection in human plasma. Optimization of the operating conditions shows that the best results were obtained by the addition of 100 microL of a concentrated Me-beta-CD solution (3.2 x 10(-2) M) to 1 mL plasma samples. Compared to the standard conditions, a 90% increase in sensitivity was obtained. The proposed analytical method which showed a linear response function [0-300 ng mL-1 (440 pM)] and a low limit of detection [1.5 ng mL-1 (2 pM) (S/N = 3)] appears, especially due to the absence of metabolism, a simple and specific method suitable for pharmacokinetics studies in patients.     

Identification and partial characterization of an unusual distribution of the photosensitizer meta-tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorin (temoporfin) in human plasma

Temoporfin (m-THPC) is an extremely powerful photosensitizing drug, more than 100-fold more photocytotoxic than Photofrin and many other drugs. The reasons for this are not yet known but are likely to be associated with the mechanism of uptake of the drug and its intratumoral and intracellular localization. Uptake itself is likely to be dependent upon the plasma binding of the drug following administration. In the current work, we have shown that the addition of m-THPC to human plasma in vitro at clinically relevant doses of sensitizer and administration solvent (diluant) gives rise to a protein-binding pattern quite different to that of Photofrin and other hydrophobic drugs as judged by density-gradient ultracentrifugation. Analysis of the binding immediately after addition to human plasma has shown that lipoprotein binding accounts for only a minor proportion of the sensitizer, which is mainly associated with a high-density protein fraction that is not coincident with serum albumin. The m-THPC protein complex does not fluoresce significantly even on dilution. This binding pattern is highly dependent on administration conditions and storage. Over a period of 6-8 h at 37 degrees C the m-THPC that is associated with this unidentified fraction redistributes to the plasma lipoproteins. Plasma collected from rats after intravenous administration of m-THPC also contains this low fluorescent complex, showing that this phenomenon is not limited to human plasma and also occurs in vivo. It is postulated that the m-THPC bound to the unknown protein fraction is highly aggregated and that it is likely to be taken up into tissues in this form. This unusual uptake may possibly be associated with the very high activity of m-THPC and also to the recent finding of a second peak in the plasma pharmacokinetics of the drug.     

The high photoactivity of m-THPC in photodynamic therapy. Unusually strong retention of m-THPC by RIF-1 cells in culture

5,10,15,20-Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (m-THPC, Foscan) is an extremely powerful photosensitizer showing up to 200 times the photodynamic activity of Photofrin in patients, in terms of drug/light dose. The influence of treatment conditions on the photodynamic efficacy of m-THPC has been compared to polyhematoporphyrin (PHP), a Photofrin equivalent, and a cationic pyridinium zinc (II) phthalocyanine (PPC), using the RIF-1 cell line. As predicted, the presence of serum during sensitizer incubation reduced the photodynamic efficacy of all three sensitizers. However, the presence of serum during the illumination period only had an inhibitory effect with PHP and PPC but not m-THPC. Quantification of the intracellular levels of sensitizer revealed that this was due to the efflux of PPC and PHP but not m-THPC into the medium, suggesting that m-THPC is tightly sequestered on entering the cell. This may partially explain the high efficacy of m-THPC in clinical photodynamic therapy and also highlights the importance not only of incubation conditions but also illumination conditions when in vitro comparisons are performed.     

Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of hydrazine by oxidation with chlorinated isocyanurates

A rapid and sensitive flow injection chemiluminescence (CL) method is described for the determination of hydrazine based on the CL generated during its reaction with either sodium dichloroisocyanurate (SDCC) or trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) in alkaline medium. The emission intensity is greatly enhanced if dichlorofluorescein (DCF) as sensitizer is present in the reaction medium. The presence of citrate prevents the precipitation of some cations in the reaction medium and also causes an enhancement in emission intensity. The effect of analytical and flow injection variables on these CL systems and determination of hydrazine are discussed. The optimum parameters for the determination of hydrazine were studied and were found to be the following: SDCC and TCCA both 1x10(-3) M; NaOH, 2x10(-1) M; DCF, 5x10(-6) M; citrate, 1x10(-3) M and flow rate, 3.8 ml min(-1). The optimized method yielded 3sigma detection limits of 2x10(-7) and 3x10(-7) M for hydrazine with SDCC and TCCA oxidants, respectively. The method is simple, fast, sensitive, and precise and was applied to the determination of hydrazine in water samples.     

Synthesis,and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a diphenylchlorin sensitizer for photodynamic therapy

This paper reports the synthesis of a new diphenylchlorin photosensitizer, 2,3-dihydro-5,15-di(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (SIM01). The photodynamic properties, cell uptake and localization of SIM01 were compared with those of structurally related meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (m-THPC). In vitro studies were conducted on rat glioma cells (C6) and human adenocarcinoma (HT-29), and in vivo studies on human colon adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29) and human prostate adenocarcinoma cells (PC3). Both dyes showed an absorption maximum at around 650 nm, with a molar extinction coefficient of 13017 M(-1) cm(-1) for SIM01 and 22718 M(-1) cm(-1) for m-THPC. Their capacity to generate singlet oxygen was identical, but differences in partition coefficients indicated that SIM01 was slightly more hydrophilic. In vitro, SIM01 was slightly more phototoxic than m-THPC for C6 cells (4.8 vs. 6.8 microg ml(-1)). However, phototoxicities were nearly identical for HT29 cells (0.45 microg ml(-1) for 5 h incubation followed by 300 mW, 20 J cm(-2)). Pharmacokinetics in vivo in mice, as determined by fibre spectrofluorimetry, showed that the SIM01 fluorescence signal in the tumor was maximal between 6 and 12 h after injection, as compared to 72 h for m-THPC. With a 2 mg kg(-1) dye dose and laser irradiation at 300 J cm(-2) (650 nm, 300 mW), the optimal PDT response occurred when the interval between injection and irradiation was 6 h for SIM01 and 24 h for m-THPC. For SIM01 with 5 mg kg(-1) injection, the optimal PDT response occurred with a 12 h delay and with the same irradiation parameters as described above, in this case the tumor response showing 40% growth. Considering the tumor volume doubling time, the value was 6.5 days in the control group and increased to 13.5 days with SIM01. Thus, SIM01 may be a powerful sensitizer characterized by strong in vitro and in vivo phototoxicity and faster tissue uptake and elimination than m-THPC.     

Fluorimetric determination of peroxynitrite based on an enzymatic reaction.

A novel fluorimetric method for the determination of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) using hemoglobin (Hb) as a catalyst is described. The method employs the reaction of ONOO with thiamine (TM), a colorless, non-fluorescent reagent in a glycine-NaCl-NaOH buffer solution (pH 12.7), to generate a highly fluorescent product, thiochrome (TC). The fluorescent product was monitored by fluorimetry. A linear calibration graph was obtained over an ONOO- concentration range from 4.95 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) to 2.97 x 10(-5) mol L(-1), with a detection limit of 9.78 x 10(-9) mol L(-1) ONOO-. The relative standard deviation at an ONOO- concentration of 2.11 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) was 4.15% (n = 9).     

Fluorescence and Mass Spectrometry Studies of Meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin Photoproducts

The meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (m-THPC), a second-generation sensitizer used in photodynamic therapy (PDT), is currently under clinical trial. In vivo fluorometry provides direct evidence that photobleaching processes are induced at the tumor site during PDT. Photoproduct formation has thus to be taken into account to fully understand PDT treatment. A preliminary step is to determine the fluorescence characteristics of photoproducts formed in solution. Solutions of m-THPC irradiated at 514 nm have been separated by HPLC using absorption and fluorescence detection. Six main photoproducts have been isolated. According to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) results, five fluorescent photoproducts emitting at 652 nm have been attributed to three mono-, one di- and one tri-hydroxy derivatives (m/z 697, 713 and 729, respectively). Fluorescence characteristics of mono-hydroxy forms were found to be similar to those of m-THPC, whereas fluorescence yields in di- and tri-hydroxy derivatives were very low. Another product, corresponding to a MALDI-TOF MS main signal at m/z 542, showed an absorption spectrum maximum at 522 nm while a weak fluorescence was detected at 480 nm. The loss of the Soret band suggests that this photoproduct results from the opening of the reduced pyrrole ring. The part played by each of these products in the photobleaching phenomenon of m-THPC is discussed.     

Cu2+ and Cu+ bathocuproine disulfonate complexes promote the oxidation of the ROS-detecting compound dichlorofluorescin (DCFH)

The water-soluble Cu⁺chelator bathocuproine disulfonate (BCS) is widely used to quantify Cu⁺ or detect Cu⁺ formation in Cu²⁺-initiated oxidation reactions. The dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) assay is commonly used to monitor free radical reactions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), or reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Upon oxidation the non-fluorescent DCFH is converted into the fluorescent compound dichlorofluorescein (DCF). In the present communication we show that the Cu⁺ reagent BCS strongly facilitated the oxidation of DCFH in the presence of Cu²⁺ or Cu⁺. In contrast, 2,2′-dipyridyl (DP), which is also a Cu⁺-complexing reagent, but not as well known and therefore not as commonly used as BCS, did not cause any oxidative modification of DCFH in the presence of Cu²⁺ or Cu⁺. We therefore recommend that DP should be used instead of BCS to complex Cu⁺ in reactions which are initiated by Cu²⁺ and when ROS/RNS are analyzed by the DCFH oxidation assay.     

Use of alkaline Comet assay to assess DNA repair after m-THPC-PDT

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with Photofrin has already been authorized for certain applications in Japan, the USA and France, and powerful second-generation sensitizers such as meta-(tetrahydroxyphenyl) chlorin (m-THPC) are now being considered for approval. Although sensitizers are likely to localize within the cytoplasm or the plasma membrane, nuclear membrane can be damaged at an early stage of photodynamic reaction, resulting in DNA lesions. Thus, it is of critical importance to assess the safety of m-THPC-PDT, which would be used mainly against early well-differentiated cancers. In this context, m-THPC toxicity and phototoxicity were studied by a colorimetric MTT assay on C6 cells to determine the LD50 (2.5 microg/ml m-THPC for 10 J/cm2 irradiation and 1 microg/ml for 25 J/cm2 irradiation) and PDT doses inducing around 25% cell death. Single-cell electrophoresis (a Comet assay with Tail Moment calculation) was used to evaluate DNA damage and repair in murine glioblastoma C6 cells after LD25 or higher doses for assays of PDT. These results were correlated with m-THPC nuclear distribution by confocal microspectrofluorimetry. m-THPC failed to induce significant changes in the Tail Moment of C6 cells in the absence of light, whereas m-THPC-PDT induced DNA damage immediately after irradiation. The Tail Moment increase was not linear (curve slope being 43 for 0-1 microg/ml m-THPC and 117 for 1-3 microg/ml), but the mean value increased with the light dose (0, 10 or 25 J/cm2) and incubation time (every hour from 1 to 4 h) for an incubation with m-THPC 1 microg/ml. However, cultured murine glioblastoma cells were capable of significant DNA repair after 4 h, and no residual DNA damage was evident after 24-h post-treatment incubation at 37 degrees C. An increase in the light dose appeared to be less genotoxic than an increase in the m-THPC dose for similar toxicities. Our results indicate that m-THPC PDT appears to be a safe treatment since DNA repair seemed to not be impaired and DNA damage occurred only with lethal PDT doses. However, the Comet assay cannot give us the certainty that no mutation, photoadducts or oxidative damage have been developed so this point would be verified with another mutagenicity assay.     

Exchange reactions of ternary ion-association complexes directly in the organic phase

The analytical implications of exchanging a highly coloured or fluorescent group R for a non-coloured or non-fluorescent one directly in the organic phase are discussed for ternary ion association complexes of the type [ML(x)(-)]R(+). Several examples are given to illustrate the approach.     

Glutathione modulates the level of free radicals produced in UVA-irradiated cells

We have developed an assay to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by UVA radiation utilising chemical probes which become fluorescent upon oxidation. Using a human bladder carcinoma cell line (MGH-U1) and spontaneously immortalised keratinocytes (HaCaT), we have shown a UVA (narrow band 365+/-5 nm) dose-dependent increase in fluorescence by flow cytometry following loading of the cells with either dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) or 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). The UVA response of both DHR and DCFH was enhanced by elevation of intracellular levels of the photosensitiser protoporphyrin IX by incubation for 2.5 h with 5-aminolaevulinic acid. Depletion of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) using the inhibitor D,L-buthionine-sulphoximine (BSO), resulted in an increase in the UVA-induced fluorescence of DCF but not of rhodamine 123. Conversely, raising intracellular GSH levels with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) had relatively little protective effect in terms of degree of induced fluorescence.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new fluorescent probe for reactive oxygen species

We report the development of a new fluorescence sensor for reactive oxygen species (ROS) based on a benzofurazan structure. The sensor, NBFhd, is initially non-fluorescent and reacts with peroxyl radicals by hydrogen transfer in an aqueous medium under neutral conditions to release the fluorescent N-methyl-4-amino-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBF) and 1,4-benzoquinone. NBFhd shows excellent contrast and no interference in the region of cell autofluorescence and is a new tool to detect ROS in homogeneous and biological systems.     

Pharmacokinetics of a tri-glucoconjugated 5,10,15-(meta)-trihydroxyphenyl-20-phenyl porphyrin photosensitizer for PDT. A single dose study in the rat

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves a non invasive treatment of small and superficial cancers using a photosensitive drug and light to kill tumoral cells. 5,10,15-meso-tri-(meta-O-beta-D-glucosyloxyphenyl)-20-phenylporphyrin [m-TPP(glu)3] is a new photosensitizer (PS) with more enhanced photocytotoxicity relative to 5,10,15,20-meso-tetra-(meta-hydroxyphenyl) chlorin [m-THPC] (Foscan). It was injected intravenously once to healthy rats at three different doses (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg kg(-1)) and compared to m-THPC (0.3 mg kg(-1)). Pharmacokinetic parameters for both photosensitizers were derived from plasma concentration-time data using a non-compartmental analysis and a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model. m-TPP(glu)3 is more rapidly eliminated throughout the organism than m-THPC. Its mean plasma clearance is 19 mL h(-1) kg(-1) (6 mL h(-1) kg(-1) for m-THPC), and its mean residence time is 5h (20 h for m-THPC). The area under curve (AUC) and initial mean serum concentration (C0) were found to be proportional to the dose. As for Foscan, no metabolite of m-TPP(glu)3 was detected in plasma. The biodistribution study demonstrates that the most significant amount of m-TPP(glu)3 was concentrated in organs such as lung, liver and spleen which are rich in reticulo-endothelial cells. Maximum concentrations were reached in organs 14 h after IV administration. At 48 h, the photosensitizer was essentially eliminated from all organs. Because of its shorter elimination time, m-TPP(glu)3 is more attractive than m-THPC as a PDT agent since secondary side effects of shorter duration could be expected.     

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).     

A novel method for time-resolved fluorimetric determination and imaging of the activity of peroxidase, and its application to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A new type of fluorescence assay for the determination of peroxidase (POx) activity is presented. The assay is based on the indication of the enzymatic consumption of H(2)O(2) (HP), using a fluorescent europium-tetracycline (Eu(3)TC) complex as indicator. On addition of HP, this complex forms a highly fluorescent adduct (Eu(3)TC-HP), which is decomposed in the presence of POx to form the weakly fluorescent europium-tetracycline (Eu(3)TC). Hence, the activity of the enzyme can be directly determined by means of the luminescent Eu(3)TC complex as indicator. The POx assay demonstrated herein was elaborated starting from a spectral characterization of the complex systems involved. Due to the long lifetime of lanthanide luminescence, both steady-state and time-resolved luminescence assays can easily be performed. The time-resolved assay can quantify POx in the range from 4.0 x 10(-5) to 5.9 x 10(-3) U mL(-1), with a limit of detection of 1.0 x 10(-5) U mL(-1). The effects of POx inhibitors such as cyanide, hydroxylamine, and azide have also been studied. In addition, a time-resolved fluorescent detection method for a POx-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed, which is demonstrated in a sandwich model assay with bovine IgG serving as analyte. Furthermore, a time-resolved fluorescent imaging method is demonstrated that makes use of a straightforward imaging set-up adjusted to the optical properties of the europium reagent.     

Time-Resolved Studies of the Excited-State Dynamics of meso-Tetra(hydroxylphenyl)chlorin in Solution

Meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (m-THPC) is a new photosensitizer developed for potential use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment. In PDT, the accepted mechanism of tumor destruction involves the formation of excited singlet oxygen via intermolecular energy transfer from the excited triplet-state dye to the ground triplet-state oxygen. Femtosecond transient absorption measurements are reported here for the excited singlet state dynamics of m-THPC in solution. The observed early time kinetics were best fit using a triple exponential function with time constants of 350 fs, 80 ps and > or = 3.3 ns. The fastest decay (350 fs) was attributed to either internal conversion from S2 to S1 or vibrational relaxation in S2. Multichannel time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopies were also used to characterize the excited singlet and triplet states of the dye on nanosecond to microsecond time scales at varying concentrations of oxygen. The nanosecond time-resolved absorption data were fit with a double exponential with time constants of 14 ns and 250 ns in ambient air, corresponding to lifetimes of the S1 and T1 states, respectively. The decay of the T1 state varied linearly with oxygen concentration, from which the intrinsic decay rate constant, ki, of 1.5 x 10(6) s-1 and the biomolecular collisional quenching constant, kc, of 1.7 x 10(9) M-1 s-1 were determined. The lifetime of the S1 state of 10 ns was confirmed by fluorescence measurements. It was found to be independent of oxygen concentration and longer than lifetimes of other photosensitizers.     

Endobronchial phototoxicity of WST 09 (Tookad), a new fast-acting photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy: preclinical study in the pig

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for many years for both palliative and curative treatment of bronchial carcinomas. However, prolonged skin phototoxicity and reduced depth of penetration has limited the widespread use of PDT. We studied the endobronchial phototoxicity of a novel photosensitizer, WST 09 (Tookad). Fourteen pairs of Large White-Landrace male piglets were given intravenous WST 09 followed by laser light illumination of the left mainstem bronchus. Different settings for light dose (fluence), fluence rate (FR), drug dose (D) and drug-light interval (DLI) were applied to each pair. Bronchial toxicity was assessed with repeat bronchoscopic photographic evaluation as well as by pathologic examination following autopsy. Animals developed no toxicity, moderate toxicity or severe toxicity. Increased toxicity was seen with increasing D and fluence and decreasing DLI, whereas no increased toxicity was seen with higher FR. PDT-related histological changes in the normal bronchus confirm the vascular effect of WST 09. Depending on the parameter settings for fluence, D and DLI, the lesions ranged from focal intramucosal ischemia to transmural infarction with subsequent acute inflammation and fibrosis. Clinically feasible parameters for drug and light dosimetry were documented. These data will be important in determining safe starting doses for human phase I/II studies.     

An HPLC assay of hydroxyl radicals by the hydroxylation reaction of terephthalic acid

An HPLC assay for hydroxyl radicals is described. The hydroxyl radical was trapped by terephthalic acid (non-fluorescent), and 2-hydroxyl terephthalic acid (fluorescent) was quantitated by HPLC-fluorescence detection. At a terephthalic acid concentration of 4.25 mmol/L, the hydroxyl radical formed in the Fenton reaction was successfully assayed in the concentration range of hydrogen peroxide of 2.5-50 micro mol/L, where the concentration of Fe(II) was 50 micro mol/L. The fluorescence of 2-hydroxy terephthalate was stable at 24 h, and its detection limit by this method was 5 nmol/L (100 fmol).     

Decreased efficiency of trypsinization of cells following photodynamic therapy: evaluation of a role for tissue transglutaminase

Identifying the cellular responses to photodynamic therapy (PDT) is important if the mechanisms of cellular damage are to be fully understood. The relationship between sensitizer, fluence rate and the removal of cells by trypsinization was studied using the RIF-1 cell line. Following treatment of RIF-1 cells with pyridinium zinc (II) phthalocyanine (PPC), or polyhaematoporphyrin at 10 mW cm-2 (3 J cm-2), there was a significant number of cells that were not removed by trypsin incubation compared to controls. Decreasing the fluence rate from 10 to 2.5 mW cm-2 resulted in a two-fold increase in the number of cells attached to the substratum when PPC used as sensitizer; however, with 5,10,15,20 meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl) chlorine (m-THPC) there was no resistance to trypsinization following treatment at either fluence rate. The results indicate that resistance of cells to trypsinization following PDT is likely to be both sensitizer and fluence rate dependent. Increased activity of the enzyme tissue-transglutaminase (tTGase) was observed following PPC-PDT, but not following m-THPC-PDT. Similar results were obtained using HT29 human colonic carcinoma and ECV304 human umbilical vein endothelial cell lines. Hamster fibrosarcoma cell (Met B) clones transfected with human tTGase also exhibited resistance to trypsinization following PPC-mediated photosensitization; however, a similar degree of resistance was observed in PDT-treated control Met B cells suggesting that tTGase activity alone was not involved in this process.     

High-throughput determination of glutathione and reactive oxygen species in single cells based on fluorescence images in a microchannel

A novel high-throughput method is presented based on fluorescence images of cells in a microchannel for determination of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside single cells. We first present a method to determine GSH and ROS separately, in which GSH in cells is derivatized by 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxaldehyde (NDA), and intracellular ROS is labeled using dihydrorhodamine 123. The cells with either fluorescent derivatized GSH or fluorescent labeled ROS are introduced into a microchannel and fluorescence images of every moving cell in the microchannel are taken continuously using a highly sensitive thermoelectrically cooled electron-multiplying CCD. The fluorescence intensities of the images correspond to the masses of GSH or ROS. An average detection rate of 80-120 cells/min is achieved. We then propose a method for simultaneously determining GSH and ROS, in which ROS is first labeled in the cells. The labeled cells are then introduced into the whole channel and allowed to immobilize onto the glass substrate. The fluorescence images of all the cells in the channel are taken. NDA is then introduced into the channel to derivatize the GSH in the immobilized cells, and fluorescence images of all cells are taken again. An average analysis rate of 20 cells/min is achieved. The masses of GSH and ROS in the single cells can be obtained from the fluorescence intensities of the images using their calibration curves. Since the cells are not lysed, there is no problem with adsorption of biological macromolecules and cellular debris on the channel wall, so that channel treatment, necessary in usual single-cell analysis techniques using CE and microchip electrophoresis, is no longer necessary. For single global cells, this method can also be used to determine the concentrations of ROS and GSH, which has not been reported previously. The concentrations of ROS and GSH in single global cells can be calculated from the determined masses and the cell volume (derived from the diameter of the round fluorescence image of the derivatized GSH). For gastric cancer cells, the concentrations of GSH and ROS are in the range 0.35x10(-3)-1.3x10(-3) mol/L and 0.77x10(-) (6)-1.5x10(-6) mol/L, respectively.