5-Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride 13C

5-Aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride 13C (ALA-HCl-13C) is a stable isotope-labeled derivative of the natural amino acid 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). ALA is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that is crucial in the biosynthesis of heme, a vital component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochromes. ALA-HCl-13C is a synthetic compound used in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for various medical conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and skin disorders. ALA-HCl-13C is an effective photosensitizer, which means it can absorb light energy and convert it into a reactive form that can damage or destroy targeted cells. This property makes it useful in photodynamic therapy (PDT), a treatment that involves the selective destruction of cancer cells using light-activated drugs. ALA-HCl-13C is also employed in fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS), a technique that uses fluorescent molecules to enhance the visibility of cancerous tissues during surgery. Chemically, ALA-HCl-13C is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water and alcohol. It is a derivative of ALA in which the carbon-13 isotope is substituted for the naturally occurring carbon-12 isotope. This isotopic substitution provides a unique signature that can be detected and measured using sophisticated analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry. ALA-HCl-13C is generally well-tolerated by the human body, although some patients may experience mild side effects such as skin photosensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.