Can measurement of the fluorescence lifetime of extracted blood PPIX predict atherosclerosis?

Author(s)

Sicchieri, Leticia B. ^[1] ; Da Silva, Monica N. ^[2] ; Samad, Ricardo E. ^[1] ; Courrol, Lilia C. ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] IPEN CNEN SP, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Fis, Diadema, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Luminescence; v. 195, p. 176-180, MAR 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

In this work, fluorescence lifetime has been used to analyze protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) extracted from blood for diagnosing atherosclerosis. A total of 10 adult white male rabbits (New Zealand) were divided into the control group (CG), with a normal diet, and the experimental group (EG), subjected to a diet containing 1% cholesterol. Blood samples were collected from the animals, and protoporphyrin IX was extracted from the blood using acetone. The PPIX fluorescence lifetime (PPIXFL) was measured using time-correlated single photon counting, after excitation at 403 nm from a pulsed laser diode. It was found that the PPIX emission intensity was enhanced in the animals that had received a hypercholesterolemic diet. The CG and EG animal's fluorescence decays were fitted by three exponentials and the mean lifetimes were 4.0 ns and 9.5 ns, respectively. This lifetime dependence resulted in a calibration curve that allows the determination of the PPIX concentration with a temporal measurement. The obtained results show that fluorescence lifetime can potentially be used as a noninvasive, simple, rapid, and sensitive tool in atherosclerosis diagnosis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/06960-9 - Use of gold nanoparticles as theranostic agent for atherosclerosis
• Grantee: Lilia Coronato Courrol
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants