Phosphorescent imaging of oxygen gradients in tissues

摘要

Until recently, the ability to measure the changing oxygen gradients in perfused tissues in response to metabolic demand, has been limited to point-measurements and/or averaged A-V oxygen differences during perfusion using oxygen electrodes. With the recent introduction of novel phosphorescent probes specifically quenched by oxygen, the ability to spacially map oxygen gradients in real-time may offer new insights into the dynamics of microvascular design and supply. Accordingly, this paper provides initial image data on Langendorff perfused rat hearts wherein the relative change in phosphorescent intensity of Pd-meso-tetra(4- carboxyphenyl)phorphine (2$mu@m) as the reporter probe, is quantitatively related to spacial oxygen gradients as seen on the left-ventricle during changing gassing conditions. Digital image analysis (frame advance), after proper calibration and alignment, provides images which can be usefully interpreted. Clinical applications of such emerging technologies could have wide-spread diagnostic applications not only as applied to the coronary bed, but other tissue surfaces displaying various degrees of aschemia and/or hypoxia.