Photodynamic damage to erythrocytes and liposomes sensitized by chlorophyll a derivatives

A comparative study of photohemolysis of erythrocytes and photodamage to liposomes sensitized by the chlorophyll a derivatives is reported. The photomodification of liposomes was assessed by the degree of leakage of sulforhodamine B, whereas hemolysis was measured by the release of hemoglobin. A statistically significant positive correlation between the degree of photohemolysis of erythrocytes and the degree of photodamage to liposomes was found. The correlation observed suggests that the photoinduced loss of lipid bilayer integrity is the main mechanism of photodegradation of erythrocyte membranes in the case of the photosensitizers studied.