Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PORPHYRINS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

Effect of antiepileptic drugs on the urinary excretion of porphyrins in non-porphyric subjects.

The action of some anticonvulsant drugs as the causal agents of attacks of acute porphyria has been widely documented in the literature. However, little attention has been paid to the effect of these drugs on the urinary excretion of porphyrins in non-porphyric subjects. In a sample of 82 epileptic patients treated with phenobarbital (n = 54), phenytoin (n = 64), carbamazepine (n = 33), and valproate (n = 8), the daily doses were expressed according to a drug score that would reflect the capacity of these drugs as enzymatic inducers when administered in polytherapy. A significantly increased urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid (DGA) and porphyrins was found in this group of patients (P<0.001), with coproporphyrin being the major fraction in all cases (>60%). Urinary DGA had a highly significant correlation with the drug score (r = 0.783, P<0.001); however, no significant correlations were found between the urinary porphyrins and DGA (r = 0.005) or the drug score (r = 0.053). Neither was any significant relationship found between the urinary porphyrins and the serum activity of 5'-nucleotidase (r = 0.066) or the presence of a cholestasis objectivized through the presence of the isoform of gamma-glutamyltransferase with beta-globulins electrophoretic mobility. However, in a group of 10 patients a significant correlation was found between the urinary excretion of porphyrins and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (r = 0.790, P<0.01). Therefore, it does not appear that the liver enzyme induction, or even a subclinical cholestasis, produced by the antiepileptic drugs administered to these patients may serve to explain the increase in the urinary excretion of porphyrins. A possible renal origin is proposed for the increase of urinary porphyrins in these cases.

Adult↗

Speciation of new tri- and tetra-glucoconjugated tetrapyrrolic macrocycles (porphyrins and chlorins): an electronic molecular spectroscopy study.

In this work, we study the physicochemical properties of some newly developed glycoconjugated photosensitizers that can be used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancers: meso-tri- and tetra-(meta-O-beta-D-glucosyloxyphenyl)porphyrins and meso-, tri-, and tetra-(meta-O-beta-D-glucosyloxyphenyl)chlorins. Their properties are compared to the non-glycosylated hydroxylated parent compounds meso-tetra-(meta-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin and meso-tetra-(meta-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin. It was found that at the ground state, all porphyrins present, independent of the substitution, have the same mean ionization constant (pKa = 2.7), corresponding to two indistiguishable steps of protonation of tetrapyrrolic nitrogens. On the other hand, in the case of chlorins, one proton process can be observed and the corresponding nitrogen exhibits a slightly superior basicity (pKa = 3.0) with respect to porphyrins. Hydroxylated compounds present a second transition at high pH corresponding to the ionization of phenol groups (pKa = 10.5). Consequently, all photosensitizers are not charged at physiological pH (approximately 7.4), and so the ionization process does not influence their activity in biological media. Ionization induces very important variations in photosensitizer absorption and emission spectra. For example, absorption in the red region (band V), one of the most important characteristics of a good photosensitizer, is only important for diprotonated porphyrins and neutral chlorins. As far as fluorescence emission is concerned, neutral chlorins are almost six times more fluorescent than the corresponding neutral porphyrins (phi(chlorin)/phi(porphyrin) approximately = 6). It should be emphasized that the spectra modifications induced by pH variations can find interesting applications in the optimization of visible and fluorescence detection in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as in the development of direct, rapid fluorimetric analytical methods.

Glycoconjugates↗

Effects of kryptopyrrole on porphyrin synthesis in Bacillus subtilis 168.

We investigated the effects of exogenous 5-aminolaevulinate and kryptopyrrole, separately and together, on the porphyrin synthesis of Bacillus subtilis 168. It was confirmed that 5-aminolaevulinate increases the porphyrin content of the culture fluid in the way previously described. In comparison with the basic activity of the bacteria, kryptopyrrole enhances the amount of extracellular copro III, uro III and 5-carboxyl porphyrins. The combination of 5-aminolaevulinate and kryptopyrrole enhances the porphyrin synthesis; moreover, a more pronounced increased in porphyrin synthesis occurs if the kryptopyrrole solution used is rich in its oxidation products. In this latter case, the amount of 5,6,7-carboxylic porphyrins increases markedly along with uro III and particularly copro III, while suburoporphyrins also makes their appearance. An hypothesis is advanced to explain tentatively the increase in the porphyrin synthesis provoked by kryptopyrrole.

Aminolevulinic Acid↗

Improvement in HPLC separation of porphyrin isomers and application to biochemical diagnosis of porphyrias.

BACKGROUND: Identification of porphyrias relies on the measurement of different porphyrins in urine, feces and plasma. Separation of porphyrin isomers is essential for the differential diagnosis of some porphyrias. METHOD: Separation of naturally occurring porphyrins was achieved on a Chromolith RP-18 column with fluorimetric detection using a methanol/ammonium acetate gradient mobile phase. Fecal and plasma porphyrins were extracted with acetonitrile and water at different pH values. RESULTS: Eight porphyrins including protoporphyrin eluted within 20 min with good resolution of each of the I and III positional isomer pairs for standards, urine and plasma, and within 50 min for feces. Improvement of the extraction method for fecal and plasmatic porphyrins resulted in high recovery (up to 89%) and reliable quantification of protoporphyrin. CONCLUSIONS: The present RP-HPLC method is specific and efficient for routine analysis of porphyrins in human urine, feces and plasma.

Calibration↗

Localization of porphyrin in mouse Harderian glands.

Lipid secreting Harderian glands in the ocular region of rodents contain a large amount of metal-free porphyrins. The localization of these porphyrins and the areas of formation of the lipidporphyrin complexes in the glandular lumina have not been clearly defined. We therefore examined the intracellular localization of porphyrin fluorescence both in tissue sections and in cultured cells of Harderian glands of 5 weeks old female ICR mice, using confocal UV-laser scanning microscopes. The fluorescence appeared in glandular cells containing lipid droplets, but not in non-glandular cells (e.g. myoepithelial or interstitial) without these droplets. Fluorescence in the cells was recognized in the cytoplasm, but there was no evidence indicating that porphyrins were restrictively stored in mitochondria. Nuclei and lipid droplets lacked fluorescence. It is thus reasonable to conclude that porphyrins accumulate in the cytoplasm, and that porphyrins and lipids are secreted separately from glandular cells. The lipid-porphyrin complex is therefore probably formed in the glandular lumina and not within the glandular cells.

Animals↗

Porphyrins can catalyze the interconversion of DNA quadruplex structural types.

The binding of porphyrins to quadruplex DNAs provides a model system for the examination of drug binding to telomere, centromere, triplet repeat and other DNAs which may form quadruplex structures in vivo. Porphyrins, and certain other molecules that interact with quadruplex DNAs, have been shown to have significant biological activity. In this investigation the interactions of porphyrins with quadruplex DNAs have been examined by optical and NMR methods. The fluorescence of selected porphyrins can be used to discriminate between duplex and quadruplex DNAs. The fluorescence of the porphyrins can also be used to discriminate partially between the chair, basket and parallel stranded types of quadruplex DNA. At the relatively high DNA concentrations used in NMR, the porphyrins catalyze the conversion of both chair and basket type structures into parallel strand quadruplex DNAs. A DNA-porphyrin system has been found which appears to be a model for an intermediate of the catalytic pathway.

Catalysis↗

Porphyrins as early biomarkers for arsenic exposure in animals and humans.

We studied the effect of arsenic exposure on the haem biosynthetic pathway in the rat and humans. Significant increases in protoporphyrin IX, coproporphyrin III, coproporphyrin I were observed in the blood, liver and kidney, and in the urine of rats after a single dose of arsenic. The level of increase was dependent on the arsenic species present. Most of porphyrin concentrations in the tissues increased within 24 hr and urinary excretion elevated within 48 hr. In the human study, we collected urine samples from 113 people who live in Xing Ren of Guizhou Province, a coal-borne arsenicosis endemic area in southwest of PR China and from 30 people who live in Xing Yi (about 80 km southwest of Xing Ren) where arsenicosis is not prevalent. We analyzed the urinary porphyrins using HPLC. Results indicate that all urinary porphyrins were higher in the arsenic exposed group than those in the control group. Women, children and older age people spend much of their time indoors, they had greater increases of urinary arsenic and porphyrins. They were the higher risk groups among the study subjects. A positive correlation between the urinary arsenic levels and porphyrin concentrations demonstrated the effect of arsenic on haem biosynthesis. Significant alteration in the porphyrin excretion profiles of the younger age (<20 y) arsenic exposed group suggested that porphyrins could be used as early warning biomarkers for chronic exposure to arsenic.

Age Factors↗

[The role of blood plasma porphyrins in the effects of He-Ne-laser on human leukocytes].

The He-Ne-laser induced effects in human blood leukocytes in the presence of autologic plasma were investigated. Experiments were performed in two ways: (1) He-Ne-laser irradiation of cells in the presence of autologic plasma or (2) laser irradiation and subsequent addition of autologic plasma to the cell suspension. The concentration dependencies of plasma additions were evaluated. To obtain different concentrations of porphyrins in plasma samples, we either diluted the samples with PBS or selected patients with different porphyrin plasma content. The effects of He-Ne-laser irradiation were characterized by the maximum effect dose (Dmax) of irradiation and the degree of maximum cell activation (Amax, priming index). In the first series of experiments, we irradiated leukocytes in the presence of autologic plasma taken from patients with pneumonia and bronchial asthma. It was found that Dmax decreased with increasing porphyrin concentration in plasma. It was observed that, at low porphyrin concentrations, Amax increased severalfold with increasing photosensitizer concentration. At a porphyrin concentration of 0.46 pmol a decrease in Amax was detected as the porhyrin concentration increased. The same effects were revealed at high doses of laser irradiation. Very similar effects were found in experiments with the addition of irradiated plasma to cells. However, the Amax value was considerably less compared to that after irradiation in the presence of plasma (160% vs. 230 - 270% upon combined irradiation of cells and plasma). The Dmax value was higher in the series of experiments in which plasma was irradiated separately. The results suggest that laser-induced leukocyte activation can be mediated by blood plasma porphyrins and the products of lipid peroxidation formed as a result of porphyrin-photosensitized lipid oxidation.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗

Comparison of bile porphyrin concentrations in cattle and human beings with protoporphyria.

Blood and bile porphyrin concentrations were measured in cattle with protoporphyria and compared with those in human beings with the disease. Whereas the mean RBC porphyrin concentration in cattle was 18-fold greater than in human beings, the mean bile porphyrin concentration was only 78% greater. Sequential measurements over a 30-hour period in 1 animal with a bile fistula indicated that the ratio of total porphyrin to total bile acid in bile varied minimally. When the animal was given an IV infusion of taurocholate, the biliary excretion rate of porphyrin increased in parallel with that of bile acid, because of enhancement of bile flow. Thus, in cattle with protophorphyria, the concentration of porphyrin in bile is low compared with that of porphyrin in RBC, in contrast with findings in human beings, and adequate amounts of bile acids are secreted to maintain efficient protoporphyrin excretion. This explains, in part, why hepatobiliary disease has not been observed in cattle with protoporphyria, but has been seen in human beings with the disease.

Animals↗

Effect of ingestion of hemoproteins on fecal excretion of hemes and porphyrins.

Stools from asymptomatic volunteers on diets containing red meat, whole blood, or high fiber were analyzed for their content of hemes and dicarboxylic (heme-derived) porphyrins by the "HemoQuant" assay, the "Hemoccult" test, and "high-performance" liquid chromatography (HPLC). In 49 subjects, ingestion of red meat increased HemoQuant-determined combined fecal heme plus dicarboxylic porphyrins by an average 375%; the contribution of heme-derived porphyrins to total fecal porphyrins increased from 37% to 78%. Of subjects on a red-meat diet, 27% passed stools with a porphyrin content suggestive of a porphyria, compared with only 4% on a red-meat-free diet. These increases were due largely to protoporphyrin and its derivatives pemptoporphyrin and deuteroporphyrin, all of which were present in feces as iron-free porphyrins and iron-ligated (heme) forms. Ingestion of blood had an effect similar to that of red meat, but ingestion of fiber had no effect. These effects of dietary and endogenous hemoproteins must be considered when such methods are used to test feces for occult blood or to test for excess fecal porphyrins as an indicator of a porphyria.

Adolescent↗

Regulation of soluble guanylate cyclase activity by porphyrins and metalloporphyrins.

Alterations of the chemical structure of protoporphyrin IX markedly altered the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase purified from bovine lung. Hydrophobic side chains at positions 2 and 4 and vicinal propionic acid residues at positions 6 and 7 of the porphyrin ring (protoporphyrin IX, mesoporphyrin IX) were essential for maximal enzyme activation (Ka = 7-8 nM; Vmax = 6-8 mumol of cGMP/min/mg). Substitution of hydrophobic with polar groups (hematoporphyrin IX, coproporphyrin III), or with hydrogen atoms ( deuteroporphyrin IX), and methylation of propionate residues resulted in decreased enzyme stimulation. Stimulatory porphyrins increased the Vmax and the apparent affinities of enzyme for MgGTP and uncomplexed Mg2+. An open central core in the porphyrin ring was essential for enzyme activation. The pyrrolic nitrogen adduct, N-phenylprotoporphyrin IX, was inhibitory and competitive with protoporphyrin IX (KI = 73 nM). Similarly, metalloporphyrins inhibited enzymatic activity and ferro-protoporphyrin IX (KI = 350 nM), zinc-protoporphyrin IX (KI = 50 nM) and manganese-protoporphyrin IX (KI = 9 nM) were competitive with protoporphyrin IX. Inhibitory porphyrins and metalloporphyrins also prevented enzyme activation by S-nitroso-N- acetylpenicillamine and NO. Guanylate cyclase reconstituted with such porphyrins required higher concentrations of protoporphyrin IX for further activation and were not activated by NO. Thus, porphyrins, metalloporphyrins, and NO appeared to interact at a common binding site on guanylate cyclase. This common site is likely that which normally binds heme and, therefore, NO-heme when the heme-containing enzyme is exposed to NO. Thus, NO and nitroso compounds may react with enzyme-bound heme to generate a modified porphyrin which structurally resembles protoporphyrin IX in its interaction with guanylate cyclase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A comparative study of 28 porphyrins and their abilities to localize in mammary mouse carcinoma: uroporphyrin I superior to hematoporphyrin derivative.

Hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD), a complex mixture of porphyrins has been used clinically as a tumor localizer both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Relative lack of tumor specific uptake limits widespread clinical application. In an attempt to circumvent this problem, we studied 28 porphyrins with widely differing properties using a transplantable KHJJ mammary carcinoma in the mouse (Balb C) as a tumor model. Twenty hours after porphyrin (P) administration, the tumor, skin and gastrointestinal tract were excised and the latter lavaged with physiologic saline. Tissue porphyrin content was assessed visually by red U.V. fluorescence, and by quantitative fluorometric extraction, and photodynamic activity was evaluated in vivo using a tuneable dye laser emitting red light (615-640 nm). (1) Of the five porphyrins which were taken up by tumor tissue, i.e. HPD (photofrin), photofrin II, meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (TCPP), tetra sodium-meso-tetra (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphine (TPSS), and uroporphyrin I (UROP I), skin and intestinal fluorescence also was marked with the notable exception of those mice receiving UROP I. (2) UROP I clearly was superior to HPD in this study in that the tumor to skin porphyrin content ratio was more than seven times greater than the ratio observed with both HPD and photofrin II, (3) As no measureable UROP was present in the gut, the tumor:intestinal P ratio under conditions of assay was for practical purposes infinity. (4) Photodynamic necrosis in the tumors of UROP I treated animals was similar to that seen following treatment with HPD. We conclude that UROP I appears the most specific tumor localizing porphyrin yet studied. This specificity suggests major potential clinical application both as a diagnostic marker for early mucosal cancer, and in photoradiation therapy. Moreover, the prolonged photocutaneous side effects as seen with HPD are unlikely.

Animals↗

[Porphyrin excretion in normal (author's transl)].

Porphyrin excretion in normal subjects was studied by solvent extraction procedures and by thin-layer chromatography of their methyl-esters. The mean value of the urinary coproporphyrin fraction was significantly higher in males than in females. Taking age also into account this difference was not significant in subjects under 20 years of age. Within the same sex, age did not have any influence on this coproporphyrin fraction. Neither of these two factors, i.e. sex and age modified the mean values of uroporphyrin fraction. Males and females showed similar amounts of fecal copro and protoporphyrin fractions. The thin-layer chromatographic urinary pattern revealed a minor porcentual value of octo-carboxylic-porphyrin in males, due mainly to a lower amount of porphyrin in the 20-40 year, period, when males also showed a decreased value of heptacarboxylic-porphyrin. Neither sex nor age modified the fecal chromatographic porphyrin pattern. Di-carboxylic porphyrins were always predominant, but theri appraisal was very frequently interfered by the presence in feces of fluorescent substances with a Rf similar to tri-carboxylic-porphyrin but with a pheophytinlike spectra.

Adolescent↗

[A study of an automated porphyria diagnosis system using urinary porphyrin profile analysis].

Porphyrins are essential substances for the biosynthesis of heme. Porphyria results from a disorder in the metabolism of porphyrin. Patients suffering from Porphyria exhibit changes in their porphyrin profiles as measured in excretia and organs. A highly sensitive and simple analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for all porphyrin metabolites in urine was established. This method is able to separate porphyrins such as uroporphyrin, carboxylic acid porphyrins of hepta-, hexa-, penta-, and coproporphyrin isomers of I and III in a sample of human urine. In this study, the combination of HPLC with a computer system for automated porphyria diagnosis was investigated. The profile of all urinary porphyrins from patients with various Porphyria were measured by HPLC and diagnosed by the computer diagnostic system. This system enabled the estimation of 5 types of porphyrias with a high accuracy of diagnosis.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Interference of ofloxacin with determination of urinary porphyrins.

The second-generation quinolone ofloxacin interferes with the screening test of porphyrins. We observed a 20-fold increase in the porphyrin concentration measured in urine of an ofloxacin-treated patient, compared with drug-free normal urine. Two other fluorinated 4-quinolones tested, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin, had a less marked effect (a twofold increase), whereas the first-generation quinolone, nalidixic acid, did not affect the measured porphyrin concentration at all. The interference is probably due to the overlap in the emission fluorescence spectra of ofloxacin and urinary porphyrins at approximately 600 nm. To avoid a false-positive diagnosis of porphyria, we suggest using HPLC to separate ofloxacin (10-min retention time) from urinary porphyrins (which only start to elute at 12 min). Nonetheless, given a threefold increase in urinary porphyrins observed in the urine of an ofloxacin-treated patient, we also discuss a possible interference of the drug with the metabolism of porphyrins.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Cutaneous abnormalities and metabolic disturbance of porphyrins in patients on maintenance haemodialysis.

Blistering disorders may occur in patients with chronic renal failure. Photoactive medication may account for some, and others may be attributable to porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), but most appear idiopathic. Seventy haemodialysis patients at the National Renal Transplant Centre were therefore screened to determine the prevalence of cutaneous disease and to establish a reference range for plasma porphyrins in this population. The possible contribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to increased porphyrin levels in this group was also investigated. Ninety four percent of patients on haemodialysis had dermatoses associated with chronic uraemia, and the plasma porphyrin levels in those patients (mean +/- 2 S.D.: 19.1 +/- 13.5 nmol/L) were significantly higher than those of a normal population (n = 40; mean +/- 2 S.D.: 5.5 +/- 3.2 nmol/L) (p < 0.05). Only 2 patients (2.9%), however, had antibodies to HCV and although three others had blistering on light-exposed skin, none of these had PCT or was on photoactive medication, nor did they differ from the rest of the haemodialysis population with regard to erythropoietin or alcohol ingestion. For patients on haemodialysis, therefore, in whom urinary porphyrin estimation is impossible or unreliable, it is recommended that plasma porphyrin profiles be checked where necessary with reference to the range for a haemodialysis population, in addition to assessment of the faecal porphyrin profile. Abnormal porphyrin levels in this group may not, however, be explained by HCV infection, but the occurrence of blistering on the sun-exposed sites of 3 patients suggests that ultraviolet radiation may be implicated in those instances.

Adolescent↗

The incorporation of various porphyrins into blood cells measured via flow cytometry, absorption and emission spectroscopy.

The incorporation of the five following porphyrins: meso-tetra(4-phenyl)porphyrin (TPP); meso-tetra(4-sulfonato-phenyl)porphyrin (TPPS4); meso-tetra(4-naphthyl)porphyrin (TNP); tri-sulfo-tetra-phenyl porphyrin (TPPS3) and tetra-sulfonato-naphthyl porphyrin (TNPS4) into human blood cells was investigated using flow cytometry, and absorption and emission spectroscopy. The percentage of stained cells, measured in a fluorescence cytometer, provided information on the efficiency of incorporation of fluorescent dye molecules into different types of cells. The yield of the incorporation of a dye was dependent on the type of dye and the solvent used for cell incubation. The degree of dye aggregation and ionization varied with the incubation medium, but dye molecules incorporated into cells seemed to be restricted to those in the monomeric state, exhibiting similar fluorescence yield. Of the three sulfonated porphyrins investigated only TPPS4 was efficiently incorporated into leukocytes. In the incubation solvent, this dye was in monomeric and neutral form. TPPS3 which was also in monomeric form, practically was not incorporated into cells. TPP and TNP dissolved in 5% aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide were present mostly in aggregated forms but they penetrated the cells with a high efficiency.

Blood Cells↗

Investigation of a series of synthetic cationic porphyrins using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) was used to study a series of synthetic cationic porphyrins as the perchlorate and bromide salts. This work presents the analytical results for the porphyrins obtained using 2, 5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) and 1,8,9-anthratriol as matrices. The selective use of matrix affects ion formation from these porphyrins. By using DHB as the matrix, we not only observed [M - nClO(4)](+) (n = 1-4) ions, but also obtained [2M - nClO(4)](+) (n = 2-7) ions from the synthetic cationic porphyrins. The space volume of the side chains (R groups) and the nature of the anions (Br(-) or ClO(4)(-)) affected the relative importance of monomeric and dimeric ions of the porphyrin. The possible mechanisms of desorption and ionization of these cationic porphyrins were also considered in this study. MALDI-TOFMS proved to be a very useful method for obtaining structural information on these synthetic cationic porphyrins. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Article↗