5-Aminolevulinic Acid–Mediated Photodynamic Therapy of Human Endometriotic Primary Epithelial Cells

Abstract Objective: Despite progress in medicine, appropriate diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis poses a serious problem. For this reason, in in-vitro experiments were performed on a potential method of employing photodynamic therapy (PDT) of endometriosis using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Background Data: The exogenous application of ALA induces the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX, a natural and effective photosensitizer used in photodynamic diagnosis and therapy. Materials and Methods: To this end primary epithelial cells were isolated from endometriotic foci, preincubated with various ALA concentrations, and then exposed to light energy (a bulb or laser) for 8 min; 24 and 48 h later cell lesions were evaluated using fluorescent staining. Results: When bulb illumination was used, after 48 h cells were found that had disturbed chromatin concentration and fragmentation. Illumination with a laser beam resulted in strong induction of apoptosis 24 h post-exposure. With both types of illumination the...