Scientists from Saratov National Research State University named after N.G.

Chernyshevsky (SSU), together with Portuguese colleagues from the Higher Engineering Institute of Porto, developed a method for increasing the transparency of biological tissues for ultraviolet radiation.

This will make phototherapy of some infectious diseases, in particular psoriasis and vitiligo, more effective, and improve diagnosis.

The study was carried out with the support of the state program “Priority 2030”.

The Russian Ministry of Education and Science reported this to RT.

Optical diagnostics and phototherapy are effective methods that are used today in medicine to identify and treat a number of diseases.

Such procedures are based on light waves, which are perceived differently by different tissues of the body.

However, these methods have a significant drawback: biological tissues are heterogeneous and contain a large percentage of water, so light waves in them are quickly absorbed and scattered.

This does not allow for diagnostic or therapeutic effects at great depths under the skin.

Ultraviolet light can have a particularly pronounced effect, but it is the one that dissipates the most and is not able to penetrate deep into tissues.

  • Observation of “transparency windows” of human skin in ultraviolet light

  • © SSU named after N.G.

    Chernyshevsky

To solve this problem, scientists have developed the technology of so-called virtual transparency windows - that is, they have found conditions and ranges of UV wavelengths that are best transmitted by biological tissues without strong scattering and absorption.

The ranges are in the region of wavelengths 230 and 300 nanometers.

To enhance the effect, the irradiated tissue samples were treated with a special composition based on glycerin, water and alcohols, such as propylene glycol.

This composition temporarily displaces water from the intercellular space of irradiated tissues, which also increases the depth of UV exposure.

The composition is biologically compatible, safe for the body and is easily replaced in tissues with water after the procedure.

The development may find application in fluorescent diagnostics and therapy using ultraviolet light.

The discovery will help use UV radiation to obtain clearer images of deep layers under the skin or mucous membranes.

Scientists patented the invention and, based on it, developed a method for treating chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis (chronic inflammatory disease of the oral cavity. -

RT

).

According to experts, their method is also suitable for the treatment of skin and infectious diseases, including psoriasis and vitiligo.