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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Mol Sci / Detection of Age-Related Changes in Tendon Molecular Composi...
International journal of molecular sciences2020; 21(6); 2150; doi: 10.3390/ijms21062150

Detection of Age-Related Changes in Tendon Molecular Composition by Raman Spectroscopy-Potential for Rapid, Non-Invasive Assessment of Susceptibility to Injury.

Abstract: The lack of clinical detection tools at the molecular level hinders our progression in preventing age-related tendon pathologies. Raman spectroscopy can rapidly and non-invasively detect tissue molecular compositions and has great potential for in vivo applications. In biological tissues, a highly fluorescent background masks the Raman spectral features and is usually removed during data processing, but including this background could help age differentiation since fluorescence level in tendons increases with age. Therefore, we conducted a stepwise analysis of fluorescence and Raman combined spectra for better understanding of the chemical differences between young and old tendons. Spectra were collected from random locations of vacuum-dried young and old equine tendon samples (superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), total = 15) under identical instrumental settings. The fluorescence-Raman spectra showed an increase in old tendons as expected. Normalising the fluorescence-Raman spectra further indicated a potential change in intra-tendinous fluorophores as tendon ages. After fluorescence removal, the pure Raman spectra demonstrated between-group differences in CH bending (1450 cm) and various ring-structure and carbohydrate-associated bands (1000-1100 cm), possibly relating to a decline in cellular numbers and an accumulation of advanced glycation end products in old tendons. These results demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy can successfully detect age-related tendon molecular differences.
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Publication Date: 2020-03-20 PubMed ID: 32245089PubMed Central: PMC7139798DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062150Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses how Raman spectroscopy, a non-invasive tool, can detect molecular differences in tendons related to aging. The primary focus is the detection of age-related pathologies in tendons, a significant step towards preventing tendon injuries.

Research Context and Tools

  • The authors note a gap in clinical detection tools at the molecular level for identifying age-related tendon pathologies.
  • Raman spectroscopy, which can swiftly and non-invasively detect tissue molecular compositions, was considered for its potential for in vivo use in this context.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a stepwise analysis involving fluorescence and Raman combined spectra. They aimed to understand the chemical differences between young and old tendons better.
  • Spectra were gathered from various locations of vacuum-dried young and old equine tendon samples.
  • They believed this method might help differentiate ages, as the fluorescence level in tendons typically increases with age.

Findings

  • The collected spectra indicated an increase in fluorescence-Raman spectra in older tendons, as expected.
  • Subsequent normalization of these spectra suggested a potential change in intra-tendinous fluorophores as the tendon ages.
  • The pure Raman spectra showed differences between young and old tendons in terms of CH bending, various ring-structure, and carbohydrate-associated bands. These differences are likely associated with a decrease in cellular numbers and an accumulation of advanced glycation end products.

Conclusion

  • The results demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy could successfully detect molecular differences in tendons related to age. Such findings offer significant potential for diagnosing and preventing tendon pathologies.

Cite This Article

APA
Yin NH, Parker AW, Matousek P, Birch HL. (2020). Detection of Age-Related Changes in Tendon Molecular Composition by Raman Spectroscopy-Potential for Rapid, Non-Invasive Assessment of Susceptibility to Injury. Int J Mol Sci, 21(6), 2150. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062150

Publication

International journal of molecular sciences
ISSN: 1422-0067
NlmUniqueID: 101092791
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 6
PII: 2150

Researcher Affiliations

Yin, Nai-Hao
  • Research Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore HA7 4LP, UK.
Parker, Anthony W
  • Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science & Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK.
Matousek, Pavel
  • Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science & Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK.
Birch, Helen L
  • Research Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore HA7 4LP, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging / pathology
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Tendon Injuries / pathology
  • Tendons / diagnostic imaging
  • Tendons / pathology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Yin NH, Parker AW, Matousek P, Birch HL. Chemical Markers of Human Tendon Health Identified Using Raman Spectroscopy: Potential for In Vivo Assessment. Int J Mol Sci 2022 Nov 27;23(23).
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