Experimental porphyric neuropathy: a preliminary report.

An experimental model for the study of porphyric neuropathy is presented. Injection of either tetraphenyl-porphinesulfonate (TPPS), hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD), or delta-amino-levulinic acid (ALA) into mice resulted in markedly decreased motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV). THe MNCV returned to normal within one week following the injection of large doses of ALA, and within three weeks following the injection of close to lethal doses of HpD, but there was no recovery of nerve function within 50 days following injection of substantially smaller doses of TPPS. Ultrastructural examination of motor nerves at various times following TPPS injection revealed the gradual development of structural abnormalities. Ultrastructural examination of the same nerves after a single dose of either ALA or HpD failed to demonstrate any abnormalities. The present observations call for precaution as to the use of TPPS as photosensitizer in human cancer treatment.