Department of Biology, New York University, NY 10003.
Photochem Photobiol 56: 413-6 (1992)
Abstract
The phototoxic effects of hematoporphyrin derivative, using Paramecium
caudatum as a model system, are significantly reduced in the presence of
carotenoid-containing liposomes. Multilammelar large or small
unilammelar vesicles, containing specific carotenoids, were effective in
protecting the organism, whether administered exogenously in the
bathing solution, or via incubation of paramecia in starved culture
media containing carotenoid liposomes. The effectiveness of the
carotenoids as inhibitors of phototoxic effects was found to depend on
the mode of administration, with small unilammelar being more effective
than multilammelar large vesicles for all carotenoids tested. Small
unilammelar vesicles containing the dihydroxy-carotenoids zeaxanthin or
astaxanthin afforded the greatest protection in both exogenous and
endogenous studies. The results of this study suggest that carotenoid
efficacy may be determined, in part, by the environment of the
carotenoid molecules.
Mesh Headings
Unique Identifier: 93066750
Chemical Identifiers (Names)