Islands of Surviving Cells Within Necrotic Volume at Liver Induced by PDT

摘要

Tissue heterogeneities as well as distinct metabolic status and cellular types within a tumor may results in a non-homogenous necrosis. The possibility of PDT surviving cells within a treated volume has relevant clinical significance. The major aim of this study was to analyze, on normal rat liver, the cell viability and surviving after PDT. The porphyrin was injected through the cava vein at concentration of 1.5 mg/Kg. The induced necrosis was qualitatively investigated varying the used drug light interval (30 min, 1, 3, 6, 24 and 36 h) and total delivered dose (20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 J/cm~2). A diode laser at 630 nm and irradiance of 150 mW/cm~2 was employed. The exposed livers were removed after the animals were killed by anesthesia overdose, 30 h after illumination. Slides were processed by HE analysis for the determination of the overall aspects of the necrotic and non-treated liver. We observed necrosis of central vein and presence of surviving cell around the portal triad within the necrotic volume, suggesting PDT-resistant regions of the tissue. Possible hypothesis for the observation may be: the absence of photosensitizer; insufficient light dose (below threshold); and distinct metabolic status in the portal triad microregions decreases oxygen availability to photodynamic reaction. The cells surrounding portal triad presented a higher resistance even when 200 J/cm~2 was applied. In contrast, the cells closer to the central vein after 20 J/cm~2 were already susceptible to the action of PDT. Different aspects of the problem are presented.