Unraveling the chemical changes induced on human meniscus by ostoearthritis using micro-Raman spectroscopy

• Κύριοι συγγραφείς: Παπασπυριδάκου, Παναγιώτα, Παπαχρήστου, Διονύσιος, Μέγας, Παναγιώτης, Κοντογιάννης, Χρίστος, Όρκουλα, Μαλβίνα
• Άλλοι συγγραφείς: Papaspyridakou, Panagiota
• Μορφή: Conference (paper)
• Γλώσσα: English
• Έκδοση: 2014
• Θέματα: Raman spectroscopy; Meniscus; Osteoarthritis; Collagen; Dermatan sulfate; Chondroitin sulfate; Φασματοσκοπία Raman; Μηνίσκος; Οστεοαρθρίτιδα; Κολλαγόνο; Θειική δερματάνη; Θειική χονδροϊτίνη

Human meniscus a crescent-shaped fibrocartilagenous structure that divides partly the knee joint cavity and is vulnerable to chemical changes caused by pathological conditions. Osteoarthritis is characterized by degeneration of cartilage, precipitation of inorganic crystals and overall deterioration of structure. micro-Raman spectroscopy, a non destructive vibrational technique with in vivo capabilities, yielding information on chemical composition of the irradiated specimen, was employed as a tool to detect chemical changes on human meniscal samples. The spectra were obtained from various spots on the specimen surface, under the same conditions. The existence of collagen type I was detected on the severely osteoarthritic areas along with dermatan sulfate, while the existence of collagen type II with chondroitin sulfate was found on the majority of the spectra obtained. Coexistence of collagen type I and collagen type II was also observed on a small proportion of the spectra obtained. Bioapatite and calcite crystals were also detected on the rim of our sample.