Background and objectives

Previous in vitro studies demonstrated the potential utility of benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD) photodynamic therapy (PDT) for vascular destruction. Moreover, the effects of PDT were enhanced when this intervention was followed immediately by pulsed dye laser (PDL) irradiation (PDT/PDL). We further evaluate vascular effects of PDT alone, PDL alone and PDT/PDL in an in vivo rodent dorsal skinfold model.

Study design/materials and methods

A dorsal skinfold window chamber was installed surgically on female Sprague-Dawley rats. One milligram per kilogram of BPD solution was administered intravenously via a jugular venous catheter. Evaluated interventions were: control (no BPD, no light), PDT alone (576 nm, 16 minutes exposure time, 15 minutes post-BPD injection, 10 mm spot), PDL alone at 7 J/cm2 (585 nm, 1.5 ms pulse duration, 7 mm spot), PDL alone at 10 J/cm2, PDT/PDL (PDL at 7 J/cm2), and PDT/PDL (PDL at 10 J/cm2). To assess changes in microvascular blood flow, laser speckle imaging was performed before, immediately after, and 18 hours post-intervention.

Results

Epidermal irradiation was accomplished without blistering, scabbing or ulceration. A reduction in perfusion was achieved in all intervention groups. PDT/PDL at 7 J/cm2 resulted in the greatest reduction in vascular perfusion (56%).

Conclusions

BPD PDT can achieve safe and selective vascular flow reduction. PDT/PDL can enhance diminution of microvascular blood flow. Our results suggest that PDT and PDT/PDL should be evaluated as alternative therapeutic options for treatment of hypervascular skin lesions including port wine stain birthmarks.

Background and Objectives: Pulsed dye laser (PDL) irradiation is the standard clinical treatment for vascular lesions. However, PDL treatment of port wine stain birthmarks (PWS) is variable and unpredictable. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD) and yellow light may induce substantial vascular effects and potentially offer a more effective treatment. In this study, we utilize a rodent dorsal skinfold model to evaluate the vascular effects of BPD-PDT at 576 nm as compared to PDL. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A dorsal skinfold window was created on the backs of female Sprague-Dawley rats, allowing epidermal and subdermal irradiation and subdermal imaging. One mg/kg BPD was administered intravenously via a jugular venous catheter. Study groups were: control (no BPD, no light), PDL (585 nm, τ p 1.5 ms, 10 J/cm 2), and PDT (BPD + continuous wave irradiation (CW) at 576nm, τ p 16 min, 96 J/cm 2). Vessels were imaged and assessed for damage using laser speckle imaging (LSI) before, immediately after, and 18 hours post-intervention. Results: Epidermal irradiation was accomplished without blistering, scabbing or ulceration. PDL and PDT resulted in similar reductions in vascular perfusion 18 hours post-intervention (34.6% and 33.4%, respectively). Conclusions: BPD-PDT can achieve safe and selective vascular effects and may offer an alternative therapeutic option for treatment of hypervascular skin lesions including PWS birthmarks.