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Noninvasive diagnosis of arthritis by autofluorescence
Andreas Hansch1, Dieter Sauner, Ingrid Hilger
1Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich Schiller University-Jena, Bachstrasse 18, 07740 Jena, Germany. andreas.hansch@med.uni-jena.de
Rationale And Objectives:
The detection of arthritis by autofluorescence was investigated using an antigen-induced arthritis model.
Methods:
For autofluorescence investigations of joints, a mobile fluorescence-detector was constructed consisting of a lens/mirror system attached to a conventional spectrofluorometer and optimized fiber optic cables reaching to and from the site of investigation. Autofluorescence measurements were performed at 7 arthritic and 7 healthy mice. Fifteen antigen-induced arthritis and 3 healthy mice were used for histologic examinations.
Results:
In the exudative stage (day 1), a decrease of emission signal intensities for excitation wavelengths at 300 nm (emission, 355-365 nm) and 360 nm (emission, 475-485 nm) was observed. Signals increased on day 7 (maximum of cellular infiltration). Chronic inflammation (day 14 and 21) led to a decrease of signals again.
Conclusion:
Arthritis influences autofluorescence signals in vivo. The detected excitation/emission pairs can be assigned to collagen/elastin and NAD(P)H. Signal intensities of NAD(P)H differed significantly from controls at day 1 and 7.