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New imaging techniques using near-infrared (NIR) femtosecond lasers (fs-lasers) in multiphoton laser scanning microscopy (MPLSM) have great potential for in vivo applications, particularly in human skin. However, little is known about possible risks. In order to evaluate the risk, a "biological dosimeter" was used. We irradiated fresh human skin samples with both an fs-laser and a solar simulator UV source (SSU). DNA damage introduced in the epidermis was evaluated using fluorescent antibodies against cyclobutane-pyrimidin-dimers (CPDs) in combination with immunofluorescence image analysis. Four fs-irradiation regimes (at 800-nm wavelength) were evaluated differing in laser power and step width of horizontal scans. Fs-irradiation did not give CPDs at 15-mW or 30-mW irradiation power using 10 horizontal scans every 5 microns. CPDs could be seen at 60-mW laser power and 5-microm step size and at 35-mW using 1-micron step width. Quantitative comparison of SSU-induced CPDs showed that the 60-mW laser irradiation regime is comparable to UV-irradiation, giving 0.6 minimal erythemal dose (MED). The 1-micron irradiation regime was comparable to 0.45 MED. Under these experimental conditions, the risk of DNA damage due to fs-laser irradiation on skin is in the range of natural UV-exposure.

We irradiated freshly excised skin biopsies with four irradiation regimes usually taken for multiphoton imaging. If there is any skin damaging, it is mainly an effect similar to the damaging effects of UV-irradiation. Using fluorescent antibodies against cyclobutane-pyrimidin-dimers (CPDs) in combination with immuno-fluorescence image analysis we quantitatively compared fs-irradiation effects with UV-irradiation (solar simulator). Based on these results we are giving a risk assessment. The results show that multi photon imaging using the parameters described here is in the ballpark of damaging occurring from every day sun exposure.

Extracellular skin structures in human skin are impaired during intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Assessment of these dermal changes is conducted by subjective clinical evaluation and histological and molecular analysis. We aimed to develop a new parameter for the noninvasive quantitative determination of dermal skin alterations utilizing the high-resolution three-dimensional multiphoton laser scanning microscopy (MPLSM) technique. To quantify structural differences between chronically sun-exposed and sun-protected human skin, the respective collagen-specific second harmonic generation and the elastin-specific autofluorescence signals were recorded in young and elderly volunteers using the MPLSM technique. After image processing, the elastin-to-collagen ratio (ELCOR) was calculated. Results show that the ELCOR parameter of volar forearm skin significantly increases with age. For elderly volunteers, the ELCOR value calculated for the chronically sun-exposed temple area is significantly augmented compared to the sun-protected upper arm area. Based on the MPLSM technology, we introduce the ELCOR parameter as a new means to quantify accurately age-associated alterations in the extracellular matrix.

We investigated if the loss of nicotinamide coenzymes in ischemic-infarcted myocardium may be responsible for the transition from reversibly ischemic to irreversibly infarcted cell damage. The LAD was occluded in 6 dogs for 4 h. Transmural needle biopsies were taken from he ischemic-infarcted region after 1/2, 1, 11/2, 2, and 4 h of ischemia and further divided into subepicardial and subendocardial halves. At each time interval the concentration of the nicotinamide coenzymes NAD, NADH, and NADPH were measured, and the degree of cellular injury was evaluated by electron microscopy. The glycohydrolase activity (EC 3.2.2.5), the enzyme which splits NAD, was determined in brain, myocardium, kidney, and skeletal muscle of 4 rats. Total NAD, the sum of NAD and NADH, started to decrease significantly in the ischemic subendocardium 1 h after onset of ischemia. Degradation of NADPH occurred later. Loss ot total NAD was about 60-70% when electron microscopy diagnosed irreversible cell injury. The glycohydrolase activity was the highest in brain followed by myocardium, kidney, and skeletal muscle, reflecting the different tolerances of these tissues towards ischemia. The key mechanism for ischemic injury seems to be the tissue acidosis which activates the glycohydrolase leading to a loss of the vital coenzymes.

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Employing MPLSM, dermal changes occurring in photo-aged human skin were visualized in an unprecedented manner and correlated to a loss of firmness. Treatment of aged skin with a topical formulation containing folic acid and creatine counteracted this age-dependent decline by exerting sustained effects on collagen metabolism. Our results support previous findings on the efficacy of these actives.

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