Catalytic system of the reactive oxygen species on the C60 fullerene basis.

Aim: To study the ability of fullerenes C(60) to catalyse the reactions of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in water solution after photoexcitation and to affect the vitality of tumor cells in vitro.

Methods: The number and vitality of cultured Ehrlich carcinoma cells or rat thymocytes were determined using tripane blue, ROS levels were registered using the methods of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and spin traps, photoirradiation of water solution of fullerenes C(60) with visible light was carried out using mercury lamp.

Results: Irradiation of water solution of fullerenes C(60) (10(-5) M) was accompanied with generation of ROS with the rate of 10 nMol/ml/min.