[Automated method for separate measurement of coproporphyrins and uroporphyrins in the urine].

The authors suggest a new improved automated method for separate measurements of urinary porphyrins (coproporphyrins and uroporphyrins) in native urine with computer processing of spectral data. The method of dividing the total spectrum of porphyrin fluorescence takes account of background non-porphyrin admixtures in the urine and corrects the data on the basis of regression analysis. The data of this method were compared to those of other widely used methods and were found to be in good correlation; the advantages of the automated method are discussed.

[Coproporphyrin level in urine from healthy humans and oncology patients].

Content of coproporphyrin was estimated in urine of females with genital, thyroid and gastrointestinal cancer. A rate of coproporphyrin elimination with urine depended on the type of tumor and its site. Concentration of coproporphyrin was decreased in urine of patients with both malignant and benign tumors as compared with that of healthy persons.

Photodynamic activity of chlorin e6 and chlorin e6 ethylenediamide in vitro and in vivo.

Several parameters of chlorin e6 and its derivative chlorin e6 ethylenediamide have been investigated as these compound are potential sensitizers for photodynamic therapy. A study carried out to compare the cellular uptake of the pigments indicates that chlorin e6 ethylenediamide possesses an enhanced affinity for tumour cells and cellular membranes. Comparison of the uptake in induced sarcoma shows that chlorin e6 ethylenediamide is a much better tumour localizer than chlorin e6.

[Assessment of the possibility of using the photodynamic effect in rheumatology].

Results of the analysis of a number of parameters which determine the efficiency of using the photodynamic action for treating rheumatoid arthritis are reported. The investigations are based on determining the character of sensitizer stabilization in the joint tissue and evaluating its stability. As the sensitizer chlorin e6 was chosen.

[The porphyrin content of the erythrocytes in cancer patients].

Levels of copro- and protoporphyrin in red blood cells obtained from patients with tumors of the stomach, large bowel and thyroid are discussed. The levels of both porphyrins proved markedly increased in patients with gastric and intestinal cancer but were nearly normal in cases of benign tumor of various sites and thyroid cancer.