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. After addition of irradiated C(60) solution to suspension of thymocytes or ascite cells, the decrease of the number of vital cells by 67 and 58%, respectively, has been registered.
Conclusion: Photoirradiated water solutions of fullerenes C(60) may be potentially useful for photodynamic therapy of tumors as ROS catalytic system.