Spectroscopic Measurement of Methylene Blue Distribution in Organs and Tissues of Hamadryas Baboons during Oral Administration

New research on Methylene Blue (MB), carried out in 2020, shows that it can be an effective antiviral drug as part of COVID-19 treatment. According to the research findings, MB has potential as a direct antiviral drug for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in the first stages of the disease. However, the MB accumulation by various types of tissues, as well as by immune cells, has not been previously studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to obtain spectral data on the interstitial distribution of the administered drug in endothelial tissues in primates. The data on interstitial MB distribution obtained by spectroscopic measurement at both macro- and microlevels during oral administration to Hamadryas baboon individuals demonstrate that MB accumulates in mucous membranes of gastrointestinal tract and the tissues of the respiratory, cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. Additionally, it was found that MB was present in lung and brain myeloid cells in significant concentrations, which makes it potentially useful for protection from autoimmune response (cytokine storm) and as a tool for the correction of immunocompetent cells’ functional state during laser irradiation. Since the cytokine storm starts from monocytic cells during SARS-CoV-2 cellular damage and since tumor-associated macrophages can significantly alter tumor metabolism, accumulation of MB in these cells provides a reason to conclude that the immune response correction in COVID-19 patients and change in macrophages phenotype can be achieved by deactivation of inflammatory macrophages in tissues with MB using laser radiation of red spectral range.

Issue of heat mirror films overheating

The study focuses on the issue of coated thin plastic films overheating due to the absorption of solar radiation. These films are suspended within the sealed space of dual-pane insulating glass units (IGU). Films are deformed due to thermal stress and the glazing ceases to carry out its function. The surface temperature of the glazing system was evaluated from energy balance during a sunny day. It was supposed the intensity of solar radiation 1000 W/m2. Solar radiation incidents perpendicular to the surface of the glazing. Spectroscopic measurement was performed and optical properties of glasses and films were evaluated. Finally, suitable glazing was designed, which partially prevents transmission of the solar radiation into the inner space of glazing and the thin plastic films are not significantly overheated.