QUANTUM YIELDS FOR LASER PHOTOCYCLIZATION OF BILIRUBIN IN THE PRESENCE OF HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN. DEPENDENCE OF QUANTUM YIELD ON EXCITATION WAVELENGTH

The quantum yield for laser photocyclization of bilirubin to lumirubin in the presence of human serum albumin (phi LR) was measured at five monochromatic excitation wavelengths in the range 450-530 nm. Solutions used were optically thin throughout the wavelength range and precautions were taken to exclude contributions from photocyclization of bilirubin XIII alpha impurities. The values obtained (7.2-18 x 10(-4] were lower than those previously reported and showed the following wavelength dependence: 457.9 less than 488.0 less than 501.7 less than 514.5 approximately equal to 528.7. However, the rate of lumirubin formation, normalized to constant fluence, decreased with wavelength over the same wavelength range and no evidence was found that photoisomerization of bilirubin to lumirubin is faster with green (514.5 or 528.7 nm) than with blue (457.9 or 488.0 nm) light. The stereoselectivity of the configurational isomerization of bilirubin to 4Z,15E and 4E,15Z isomers also was studied. This reaction became less regioselective for the 4Z,15E isomer with increasing wavelength. The observed wavelength dependence of phi LR and of the [4E,15Z]: [4Z,15E] ratio at photoequilibrium are consistent with an exciton coupling model in which intramolecular energy transfer can occur between the two pyrromethenone chromophores of the bilirubin molecule in the excited state. Relative rates of lumirubin formation in vivo at different excitation wavelengths and constant fluence were estimated for different optical thicknesses and for different skin thicknesses. These estimates suggest that the recently reported clinical equivalence of blue and green phototherapy lights probably reflects the marked variation of skin transmittance with wavelength more than wavelength-dependent photochemistry. The calculations also indicated that the optimal wavelength for phototherapy is probably on the long wavelength side of the bilirubin absorption maximum.     

Bilirubin photoisomerization products in serum and urine from a Crigler-Najjar type I patient treated by phototherapy

The relative compositions of the photoisomers of bilirubin-1X alpha (4Z, 15Z-bilirubin) in serum and urine of a patient with Crigler-Najjar type I syndrome treated by phototherapy are reported. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis reveals the presence of high serum levels of the configurational bilirubin photoisomer (4Z,15E-bilirubin) before the beginning of phototherapy (between 12 and 16% of the total bilirubin). The configurational photoisomer value increases during phototherapy with blue fluorescent lamps up to a photoequilibrium of about 25%, similar to that obtained in a bilirubin solution in vitro irradiated by the same lamps. This evidence suggests an inefficient serum excretion of the 4Z,15E-bilirubin. Indeed, its average half-life in serum of the Crigler-Najjar patient is found to be about 8 h. No detectable traces of the bilirubin structural isomer, lumirubin, are found in the serum. On the other hand, lumirubin represents the dominant bilirubin isomer excreted in the urine, as both 15Z and 15E configurations. Smaller amounts of 4Z,15E-bilirubin, 4E,15Z-bilirubin and native 4Z,15Z-bilirubin are observed in urine. The presence in urine of 4Z,15Z-bilirubin is probably due to a fast reversion of the configurational photoisomers to their native form. The half-life of the configurational photoisomers in urine kept at 38 degrees C is found to be of the order of a few minutes. Our study indicates that in Crigler-Najjar type I patients, mechanisms exist to excrete all bilirubin photoisomers. The lumirubin pathway seems to contribute markedly to bilirubin excretion in the urine, as occurs in jaundiced babies under phototherapy. However, the contribution of configurational isomers cannot be neglected.     

WAVELENGTH-DEPENDENT QUANTUM YIELD FOR Z →E ISOMERIZATION OF BILIRUBIN COMPLEXED WITH HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN

The quantum yield, phi ZE, for configurational photoisomerization (4Z,15Z----4Z,15E) of bilirubin bound non-covalently to human serum albumin was determined (at 23 +/- 2 degrees C) by laser excitation and chromatographic analysis of products. Values obtained for photoexcitation at 465 nm were about one-half those previously reported. The quantum yield was dependent on excitation wavelength, decreasing from a value of 0.109 +/- 0.010 for excitation at 457.9 nm to a value of 0.054 +/- 0.005 for excitation at 514.5 nm. The wavelength dependence is consistent with rapid transfer of excitation energy between the two non-identical pyrromethenone chromophores of bilirubin in the singlet excited state. Since the quantum yields for photoisomerization and luminescence of bilirubin bound to serum albumin at room temperature are both low, internal conversion processes, rather than Z----E configurational isomerizations, are probably the major pathways for deactivation of photo-excited bilirubin.     

WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE OF THE QUANTUM YIELD FOR THE STRUCTURAL ISOMERIZATION OF BILIRUBIN

The quantum yield and the relative photochemical yield for lumirubin formation from bilirubin bound to human albumin were determined at eight wavelengths from 410 to 520 nm. The quantum yield averaged 0.0015 for irradiation between 450 and 490 nm. At 410 and 430 nm the quantum yield was slightly lower. At the long wavelength end of the absorption band, from 500 to 520 nm, the quantum yield averaged 0.003. The relative photochemical yield, normalized to constant fluence, was greatest at 500 nm.     

QUANTUM YIELD and EQUILIBRIUM POSITION OF THE CONFIGURATIONAL PHOTOISOMERIZATION OF BILIRUBIN BOUND TO HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN*

Abstract— At low fluence rates it is possible to observe a photoequilibrium between Z,Z-bilirubin(BR) and its E isomers(collectively called PBR) bound to human serum albumin(HSA).For excitation centered at 465 nm, the fraction of PBR/HSA in the photoequilibrium mixture was observed to be 0.22 + 0.02. The quantum yield for conversion of BR/HSA to PBR/HSA was found to be 0.20 0.02. The equality of the quantum yield value and the fraction of PBR/HSA in the photoequilibrium mixture is consistent with a simple mechanism for the photoisomerization in which optically excited singlet states of BR and PBR convert rapidly and with virtually total efficiency to a common excited intermediate with twisted geometry that subsequently decays to BR and PBR in the ratio 4:1, respectively. Quantum yields for other photoprocesses of BR bound to HSA are much lower than that for configur-ational isomerization. The central role suggested for configurational isomerization in the phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is supported by these observations.     

SPECTRAL STUDY OF THE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF DIPYRROLE MODELS FOR BILIRUBIN BOUND TO HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN

—Dipyrromethenones, which include xanthobilirubinic acid (I), its methyl ester (II) and the endo- vinyl analog of neoxanthobilirubinic acid methyl ester ("half bilirubin" methyl ester) (III) bind to human serum albumin (HSA) and thereby exhibit greatly increased fluorescence as well as induced circular dichroism in their long wavelength transitions. As determined from fluorescence studies, the "tightness" of the binding to HSA is, inter alia , inversely related to the inherent solubility of the dipyrromethenone in aqueous buffer. Fast (ps) configurational isomerization ( Z → E ) is the major pathway for decay of the first excited (singlet) states of the HSA-bound dipyrromethenones. A quantum yield of − 0.4 is associated with the Z → E isomerization. Binding to HSA enhances the lifetimes of the less thermodynamically stable E -isomers. The results of these studies of "half bilirubins" allow a clear evaluation of the effects of protein binding upon the photophysics and photochemistry of bilirubin.     

Long Chain Fatty Acid Affects Excited State Branching in Bilirubin-Human Serum Protein Complex?

After binding to human serum albumin, bilirubin could undergo photo-isomerization and photo-induced cyclization process. The latter process would result the formation of a product, named as lumirubin. These photo induced behaviors are the fundamental of clinical therapy for neonatal jaundice. Previous studies have reported that the addition of long chain fatty acids is beneficial to the generation of lumirubin, yet no kinetic study has revealed the mechanism behind. In this study, how palmitic acid affects the photochemical reaction process of bilirubin in Human serum albumin (HSA) is studied by using femtosecond transient absorption and fluorescence up-conversion techniques. With the addition of palmitic acid, the excited population of bilirubin prefers to return to its hot ground state (S₀) through a 4 ps decay channel rather than the intrinsic ultrafast decay pathways (< 1 ps). This effect prompts the Z-Z to E-Z isomerization at the S$_0$ state and then further increases the production yield of lumirubin. This is the first time to characterize the promoting effect of long chain fatty acid in the process of phototherapy with femtosecond time resolution spectroscopy and the results can provide useful information to benefit the relevant clinical study.     

CONFIGURATIONAL PHOTOISOMERIZATION OF BILIRUBIN IN VITRO—I. QUENCHING OF Z→E ISOMERIZATION BY TWO-WAVELENGTH IRRADIATION

Abstract A simple rate-equation theory of configurational photoisomerization of bilirubin (BR) is presented and used to discuss the Z→E photoisomerization of BR in HSA solutions irradiated with laser light in the blue-green spectral region. The analytical expression of Z, E -BR:HSA (PBR) concentration at photoequilibrium (PE) is used to derive the PBR concentration from the spectrophotometric data on absorbance difference spectra. The PBR values are in good agreement with those recently reported in the case of 10 nm-bandwidth filtered light. Both sets of data give a best-fit value of the BR, PBR quantum yield ratio equal to 2.3 in the case of BR:HSA ratio equal to 1:2.
Successive irradiation of BR/HSA solutions with different wavelengths (457/488/457 nm) provides further support for the reversibility of the photoreaction. However, differences between the intermediate PE values have been found, and may reveal departures from the simple Z,Z→Z,E isomerization in BR/HSA solutions.
The possibility of controlling the formation of Z, E -BR/HSA has been demonstrated using simultaneous irradiation with blue (457 nm) and green (514 nm) laser beams. The two-wavelength scheme takes advantage of the reversibility of the BRIPBR reaction, and of the differences between BR/PBR absorption spectra and quantum yields. Efficient quenching of PE PBR is achieved when green substantially exceeds (10–40 times) blue light intensity. This experiment may simulate what actually occurs during clinical phototherapy with white and green fluorescent lamps, where the quenching of PBR at the formation sites may prevent diffusion of this slowly excreted isomer and, at the same time, increase the formation of the more rapidly excretable structural, non-reversible isomers, such as lumirubin.     

Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed cyclization of 2,3-allenoic acids in the presence of terminal alpha,beta-unsaturated alkynones: a one-pot highly stereoselective synthesis of 4-(3'-oxo-1'(E)-alkenyl)-2(5H)-furanones

The Pd(OAc) 2-catalyzed cyclization reaction of 2,3-allenoic acids in the presence of terminal alpha,beta-unsaturated alkynones afforded an E/ Z mixture of 4-(3'-oxo-1'-alkenyl)-2(5 H)-furanones. A subsequent complete isomerization of the Z-isomer to E-isomer was observed in DMSO at 90 degrees C, which led to a highly stereoselective synthesis of 4-(3'-oxo-1'( E)-alkenyl)-2(5 H)-furanones. A possible mechanism is proposed.     

CONFIGURATIONAL PHOTOISOMERIZATION OF BILIRUBIN IN VITRO–II. A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PHOTOTHERAPY FLUORESCENT LAMPS AND LASERS

Abstract— A comparative investigation of configurational photoisomerization of bilirubin (Z.Z-BR) bound to human serum albumin (HSA) in vitro produced by fluorescent lamps currently employed in phototherapy of neonatal jaundice has been carried out by using a fast absorbance technique. Photoequilibrium Z, E-BR concentrations and rise-times are reported. Similar measurements effected with monochromatic laser lines in the blue-green spectral region are presented for comparison purposes.
Narrow-spectrum fluorescent lamps (violet, special-blue, filtered-green) produce Z,E-BR concentrations at photoequilibrium almost equal to those obtained with monochromatic lines. The photoequilibrium rise-times, however, strongly depend on the spectral bandwidth of the excitation light. Special-blue, daylight and green lamps produce Z,E-BR concentrations = 34,31, and 12%, respectively. For green lamps, the intense UV-blue-Hg lines are responsible for more than 50% of Z,E-BR concentration. Green light is found to be quite ineffective in forming Z,E isomers and very efficient in causing Z,E-BR to revert to native Z.Z-BR. Moreover, simultaneous irradiation of BR solution with special-blue and green fluorescent lamps produces almost complete inhibition of the Z→E reaction at suitable green/blue intensity ratio.
On the basis of these results a possible mechanism is presented to explain the clinical success of fluorescent green lamp phototherapy and the greater production of structural BR isomers recently reported for green than that for white lamps.     

Photochemical and photophysical properties of a poly(propylene amine) dendrimer functionalized with E-stilbene units

A second generation poly(propylene amine) dendrimer functionalized at the periphery with eight E-stilbene and eight 4-tert-butylbenzenesulfonyl units has been prepared. The absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum and decay, E<==>Z photoisomerization, and photocyclization of the Z-isomer of the stilbene units have been investigated in air equilibrated acetonitrile solutions. For comparison purposes, a reference compound of the peripheral dendrimer units, namely 4-tert-butyl-N-propyl-N-(4-styryl-benzyl)-benzenesulfonamide, has also been studied. The quantum yield of the E-->Z photoisomerization reaction (0.30) and the fluorescence quantum yield of the E isomer (0.014) are substantially smaller for the units appended to the dendrimer compared to those of the reference compound (0.50 and 0.046, respectively). The presence of a red tail and the biexponential decay of the emission band of the dendrimer indicate formation of excimers between the stilbene units appended at the poly(propylene amine) dendritic structure. Under the experimental conditions used (lambda(exc)= 313 nm), a Z/E photostationary state (around 9 : 1 for both reference compound and dendrimer ) is reached in the time scale of minutes. On continuing irradiation, other photoreactions take place in the time scale of hours: the stilbene moiety of compound undergoes photocyclization to phenanthrene (quantum yield 0.015), whereas in dendrimer photocyclization to phenanthrene is accompanied by other processes, including a photoreaction involving the internal amine groups.     

(EZ)-Cyclobilirubin formation from bilirubin in complex with serum albumin derived from various species

We determined the specificity of photochemical changes of bilirubin in complex with serum albumin from various species. There were no general trends in the configurational photoisomerizations of (ZE)-bilirubin/(ZZ)-bilirubin and (EZ)-bilirubin/(ZZ)-bilirubin associated with the albumins from various species as compared to those associated with human serum albumin. The absorbance spectra of bilirubin in complex with albumins from various species differed, indicating that the three-dimensional structures of (ZZ)-bilirubin bound to the various serum albumins, which are substrates of (ZE)- and (EZ)-bilirubin, differ among species. The rates of conversion of the (EZ)-bilirubin isomer into the structural cyclobilirubin isomer were similar for the albumins of chicken, rat, rabbit, dog, bovine, and pig, and were significantly slower than the rate for human serum albumin. This suggests that the three-domain human albumin has evolved to allow ready conversion of (EZ)-bilirubin to (EZ)-cyclobilirubin. Cyclobilirubin formation in a bilirubin-alpha-fetoprotein solution was much lower than that in a bilirubin–human serum albumin solution. It is believed that the ability of human serum albumin to facilitate the photochemical change of bilirubin was evolutionarily selected in response to neonatal jaundice in humans.     

Bilirubin/rat serum albumin interaction

Essential differences are demonstrated between bilirubin binding to rat serum proteins and to albumin in human serum. Acidimetric titration of rat serum with and without added bilirubin shows that binding of bilirubin acid in the range of pH from 6.8 to 8.8 takes place with release of less than one hydrogen ion per molecule of bound bilirubin. With human serum, two hydrogen ions are released, indicating binding of bilirubin dianion. The binding equilibrium of N-[4-[(4-aminophenyl)-sulfonyl]phenyl]-acetamide (MADDS) to rat serum albumin is influenced slightly by cobinding of bilirubin whereas MADDS and bilirubin bind competitively to human serum albumin. Finally, the rate of oxidation of bilirubin with hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase is decreased moderately by addition of rat serum albumin and strongly by the human protein, indicating that biliribin in its complex with rat serum albumin is subject to oxidation while the complex with human serum albumin is protected. These differences should be considered when rats are used as a model in experimental studies aiming at prevention of bilirubin encephalopathy in human neonates.     

Induction of Wavelength-Dependent Photochemistry in Bilirubins by Serum Albumin

Summary.  Quantum yields for Z⇄E photoisomerization of the natural bi-chromophore bilirubin IXα in ammoniacal methanol solution were found to vary with excitation wavelength, whereas no variation (within experimental error) was observed for xanthobilirubic acid and for symmetrically substituted bilirubins (bilirubin IIIα, bilirubin XIIIα, and mesobilirubin XIIIα) in the same solvent. The quantum yield for Z⇄E photoisomerization of xanthobilirubic acid bound to human serum albumin was also invariant with excitation wavelength. In contrast, quantum yields for Z⇄E photoisomerization of the symmetrically-substituted bilirubins did show marked excitation wavelength dependency when they were bound to human serum albumin. These results show that quantum yields for Z⇄E photoisomerization of bilirubins are markedly sensitive to protein binding and to the nature of pyrrole ring β-substituents. They also demonstrate that wavelength-dependent photochemistry is characteristic of bilirubins with non-identical pyrromethenone chromophores, as expected from exciton coupling theory, and that complexation with albumin induces wavelength-dependent photochemistry in symmetrically substituted bilirubins. Received January 13, 1998. Accepted January 27, 1998     

Cyclization/hydrosilylation of functionalized 1,6-diynes catalyzed by cationic platinum complexes containing bidentate nitrogen ligands

A 1:1 mixture of the platinum dimethyl diimine complex [PhN[double bond]C(Me)C(Me)[double bond]NPh]PtMe(2) (4a) and B(C(6)F(5))(3) catalyzed the cyclization/hydrosilylation of dimethyl dipropargylmalonate (1) and HSiEt(3) to form 1,1-dicarbomethoxy-3-methylene-4-(triethylsilylmethylene)cyclopentane (3) in 82% isolated yield with 26:1 Z:E selectivity. Platinum-catalyzed diyne cyclization/hydrosilylation tolerated a range of functional groups including esters, sulfones, acetals, silyl ethers, amides, and hindered ketones. Diynes that possessed propargylic substitution underwent facile cyclization/hydrosilylation to form silylated 1,2-dialkylidene cyclopentanes as mixtures of regioisomers. Diynes that possessed an electron-deficient internal alkyne underwent cyclization/hydrosilylation in moderate yield to form products resulting from silyl transfer to the less substituted alkyne. The silylated 1,2-dialkylidenecyclopentanes formed via diyne cyclization/hydrosilylation underwent a range of transformations including protodesilylation, Z/E isomerization, and [4 + 2] cycloaddition with dieneophiles.     

Photochemical behavior of some p-styrylstilbenes and related compounds: spectral properties and photoisomerization in solution and in solid state

The spectral properties and Z,E-photoisomerizations of three 4-styrylstilbenes, a 4,4'-bis(P-methylstyryl)benzene and a 4,4'-distyrylstilbene were investigated in solution and in the solid state. Some notable features of the absorption and fluorescence spectra due to the structures and the phases (solution or solid) were observed, especially the Stokes shifts. Interesting photochemical behaviors in solution and in the solid state were also found. While the (E,Z)-4-styrylstilbenes undergo a one-way photoisomerization to their E,E-isomers with almost equal rates in solution, their quantum yields in the solid state decrease with increasing substituent size at the terminal aromatic rings. On the other hand, the 4,4'-bis(beta-methylstyryl)benzene undergoes a mutual photoisomerization in solution, but its E,Z-isomer isomerizes in a one-way manner to the E,E-isomer in the solid state. Additionally, the (Z,E,Z)-4,4'-styrylstilbene was found to undergo a one-way photoisomerization to the E,E,E-isomer via the E,E,Z-isomer in solution and the crystalline E,E,Z-isomer to the E,E,E-isomer in the solid state.     

New aspects of diphenylbutadiene photochemistry. Regiospecific hula-twist photoisomerization

In EPA glass at liquid nitrogen temperature, the E,E isomer of diphenylbutadiene (DPB) was photostable, while both the Z,E and Z,Z isomers underwent selective HT isomerization at center 1 giving the stable conformer of the double-bond isomerized trans product. That HT-1 was involved rather than the OBF process was shown by results of o,o'-dimethyl-DPB. Formation of unstable trans product corresponded to simultaneous configurational and conformational isomerization. The regioselectivity was found not sensitive to a substituent effect, as shown by the similar reactivity in p,p'- or o,o'-bistrifluoromethyl-DPB.     

WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE OF QUANTUM YIELDS AND PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION IN THE ANAEROBIC PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF BILIRUBIN DIMETHYL ESTER

Abstract— ( Z,Z )-Bilirubin dimethyl ester exists in two or more forms in solution, and photorearranges to the ( E,Z )- and ( Z,E )-isomers. Deaerated solutions of bilirubin dimethyl ester in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and chloroform/ethanol were irradiated with light of 10nm bandwidth in the range 380–470 nm at room temperature. Absorption difference spectroscopy showed that the solution forms of bilirubin dimethyl ester differ in their photoreactivity, and that the quantum yields of their disappearance and the distribution of the photorearrangement isomers are wavelength dependent.     

Enantioselective intramolecular hydroarylation of alkenes via directed C-H bond activation

Highly enantioselective catalytic intramolecular ortho-alkylation of aromatic imines containing alkenyl groups tethered at the meta position relative to the imine directing group has been achieved using [RhCl(coe)2]2 and chiral phosphoramidite ligands. Cyclization of substrates containing 1,1- and 1,2-disubstituted as well as trisubstituted alkenes were achieved with enantioselectivities >90% ee for each substrate class. Cyclization of substrates with Z-alkene isomers proceeded much more efficiently than substrates with E-alkene isomers. This further enabled the highly stereoselective intramolecular alkylation of certain substrates containing Z/E-alkene mixtures via a Rh-catalyzed alkene isomerization with preferential cyclization of the Z-isomer.     

Alkoxyamine-derived formamidines: configurational control and molecular folding

N,N'-Disubstituted formamidines, and amidines in general, have very rich configurational, conformational, and tautomeric diversities. As part of an effort to incorporate alkoxyamine-derived formamidine units into foldamers, the first evidence for the isolation of the up-to-now unknown E isomer, the conditions for its exclusive formation, its stability and self-assembly properties, and its configurational isomerization to its much more common Z counterpart are reported. Considering the distinctly different H-bonding patterns displayed by both E and Z isomers, such configurational control may find applications in self-assembly, molecular recognition, and biomimetic systems.