Protection against photodynamic therapy (PDT)-induced photosensitivity by fabric materials

Area of Science:

• Photomedicine
• Dermatology
• Textile Science

Background:

• Specialized fabrics offer broad-spectrum protection against photodamage.
• The photoprotective efficacy of these fabrics against photosensitivity disorders and photodynamic therapy (PDT) reactions requires assessment.
• 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induces photosensitivity, primarily reacting to visible light.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the photoprotective capabilities of a special fabric (Solumbra) and a typical summer fabric against ALA-induced phototoxicity in mice.
• To determine the fabrics' effectiveness in blocking visible light (360-800 nm) relevant to PDT reactions.

Main Methods:

• Tape-stripped Sk-1 hairless mice were topically sensitized with ALA.
• Mice were irradiated with visible light (360-800 nm) after exposure through either Solumbra or typical fabric.
• The minimal phototoxic dose (MPD) was determined, and mice were exposed to multiples of the MPD through the fabrics.

Main Results:

• Solumbra fabric provided significant protection, shielding mice from 25-30 MPD of visible light.
• A typical summer fabric offered minimal protection, failing against 2.5 MPD.
• No adverse reactions were observed in control groups receiving ALA or light alone.

Conclusions:

• Solumbra fabric demonstrates superior photoprotection against ALA-induced photosensitization compared to typical summer fabrics.
• Both tested fabrics appear more effective at blocking UV radiation than visible light.