Raman spectroscopic investigation of spinal cord injury in a rat model

Abstract

Abstract. Raman spectroscopy was used to study temporal molecular changes associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) in a rat model. Raman spectra of saline-perfused, injured, and healthy rat spinal cords were obtained and compared. Two injury models, a lateral hemisection and a moderate contusion were investigated. The net fluorescence and the Raman spectra showed clear differences between the injured and healthy spinal cords. Based on extensive histological and biochemical characterization of SCI available in the literature, these differences were hypothesized to be due to cell death, demyelination, and changes in the extracellular matrix composition, such as increased expression of proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid, at the site of injury where the glial scar forms. Further, analysis of difference spectra indicated the presence of carbonyl containing compounds, hypothesized to be products of lipid peroxidation and acid catalyzed hydrolysis of glycosaminoglycan moieties. These results compared well with in vitro experiments conducted on chondroitin sulfate sugars. Since the glial scar is thought to be a potent biochemical barrier to nerve regeneration, this observation suggests the possibility of using near infrared Raman spectroscopy to study injury progression and explore potential treatments ex vivo, and ultimately monitor potential remedial treatments within the spinal cord in vivo. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Raman spectroscopy: techniques and applications in the life sciences

“…Subtracting spectra of one group from spectra of another can reveal which features show differences. This method was used by Saxena et al to identify changes associated with spinal cord injury [469] and by Bai et al to measure senescence in stem cells [470].…”

Raman Spectroscopy for Analysis of Implants from the Dura Mater

“…In [6], the use of RS for the identification of spinal nerves in operations of minimally invasive spinal surgery is described, based on quantitative spectral analysis of the main components: proteins, lipids, and DNA. The results confirmed the possibility of identification of the spinal cord and spinal nerve with the help of RS.…”

“…At present, the quality of bioimplants can be assessed in vitro using a set of morphological, morphometric, biochemical and optical methods of investigation, including Raman spectroscopy [4,6].…”

“…Therefore, to evaluate the composition of biological tissues, it is necessary to use optical control methods that are non-invasive. One of the most common optical methods for evaluating the quality of a bioimplant is Raman spectroscopy [6].…”

Interpreting the biochemical specificity of mouse spinal cord by confocal raman microspectral imaging

“…Recently, Saxena et al explored the possibility of using RS to study demyelination and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans upregulation after SCI. 7 Ruberto et al demonstrated that Raman spectra of an SCI can be observed using an organotypic model. 8 Galli et al assessed the ability of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and spontaneous RS to generate contrast data between normal and altered regions on the molecular level in an SCI rat model.…”