Synthesis, In Vitro Testing, and Biodistribution of Surfactant-Free Radioactive Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment.

New forms of cancer treatment, which are effective, have simple manufacturing processes, and easily transportable, are of the utmost necessity. In this work, a methodology for the synthesis of radioactive Gold-198 nanoparticles without the use of surfactants was described. The nuclear activated Gold-198 foils were transformed into H198AuCl4 by dissolution using aqua regia, following a set of steps in a specially designed leak-tight setup. Gold-198 nanoparticles were synthesized using a citrate reduction stabilized with PEG. In addition, TEM results for the non-radioactive product presented an average size of 11.0 nm. The DLS and results for the radioactive 198AuNPs presented an average size of 8.7 nm. Moreover, the DLS results for the PEG-198AuNPs presented a 32.6 nm average size. Cell line tests showed no cytotoxic effect in any period and the concentrations were evaluated. Furthermore, in vivo testing showed a high biological uptake in the tumor and a cancer growth arrest.

Parameters for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on periodontal pocket-Randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been investigated as an adjunctive to periodontal treatment but the dosimetry parameters adopted have discrepancies and represent a challenge to measure efficacy. There is a need to understand the clinical parameters required to obtain antimicrobial effects by using aPDT in periodontal pockets. The aim of this study was to investigate parameters relating to the antimicrobial effects of photodynamic therapy in periodontal pockets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial included 30 patients with chronic periodontitis. Three incisors from each patient were selected and randomized for the experimental procedures. Microbiological evaluations were performed to quantify microorganisms before and after treatments and spectroscopy was used to identify methylene blue in the pocket. A laser source with emission of radiation at wavelength of ʎ = 660 nm and output radiant power of 100 mW was used for 1, 3 and 5 min. One hundred µM methylene blue was used in aqueous solution and on surfactant vehicle. RESULTS: The results demonstrated the absence of any antimicrobial effect with aqueous methylene blue-mediated PDT. On the other hand, methylene blue in the surfactant vehicle produced microbial reduction in the group irradiated for 5 min (p < 0.05). Spectroscopy showed that surfactant vehicle decreased the dimer peak signal at 610 nm. CONCLUSION: Within the parameters used in this study, PDT mediated by methylene blue in a surfactant vehicle reached significant microbial reduction levels with 5 min of irradiation. The clinical use of PDT may be limited by factors that reduce the antimicrobial effect. Forms of irradiation and stability of the photosensitizers play an important role in clinical aPDT.

Effect of photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on Candida albicans in the presence of glucose.

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is an opportunistic commensal microorganism, often associated with severe infections in immunosuppressed individuals. C. albicans has hexose transporters that may favor the intracellular accumulation of photosensitizer (PS). the aims of this study were to investigate the influence of glucose load on photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT); and the role that membrane transport system plays on this therapy in the presence of glucose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Strains of C. albicans were selected: ATCC 10231, YEM 12, YEM 13, YEM 14 and YEM 15. All strains were grown aerobically on Sabouraud agar and incubated at 30 °C for 24 h. The strains were treated with and without glucose, and divided into Control (no treatment), LED light (660 nm, 166 mW/cm2), Photosensitizer (100 µM methylene blue) and PACT at 1, 3 and 6 min of irradiation groups. The colony forming units were counted and data submitted to statistical analysis (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. The concentration of methylene blue (MB) outside the yeast was measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. RESULTS: PACT inactivate C. albicans and the presence of glucose did not affect the killing effect for most strains. Only YEM12 was partially affected by its presence. Regarding efflux systems, ABC overexpressing strain showed a protective effect on the yeast cells. We observed that yeast with overexpression of major facilitator superfamily (MFS) membrane pore tended to accumulate more MB in its cytoplasm, whereas strains that overexpressed ABC pumps (ATP-binding cassette transporters) tended to decrease MB uptake and survive the photodynamic challenge. CONCLUSION: Presence of glucose showed a small effect on PACT . The accumulation of MB on yeast induces more photodynamic inactivation; however, the photodynamic efficacy depends on the type and characteristics of the microbial strain.