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Changes in nail keratin observed by Raman spectroscopy after Nd:YAG laser treatment
Min Kyung Shin1, Tae In Kim1, Wan Sun Kim2
1Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Lasers and photodynamic therapy have been considered a convergence treatment for onychomycosis, which is a fungal infection on the nail bed and nail plate. Laser therapies have shown satisfactory results without significant complications for onychomycosis; however, the mechanism of clearing remains unknown. In this work, we investigated changes in the chemical structure of nail keratin induced by Nd:YAG laser using Raman spectroscopy. Toe nails with onychomycosis were treated with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. After laser treatment, the disulfide band (490-590 cm-1 ) of nail keratin was rarely observed or was reduced in intensity. The amide I band (1500-1700 cm-1 ) also showed changes induced by the laser. The α-helical (1652 cm-1 ) structures dominated the β-sheet (1673 cm-1 ) in nontreated nail, but the opposite phenomenon was observed after laser treatment.
Insights
Nd:YAG laser treatment for fungal nail infections alters nail keratin structure. Raman spectroscopy revealed reduced disulfide bonds and changes in protein conformation, suggesting a potential mechanism for laser therapy effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Dermatology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Onychomycosis is a common fungal nail infection.
- Laser and photodynamic therapies show promise for onychomycosis treatment.
- The precise mechanism of laser-induced fungal clearance remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemical structural changes in nail keratin induced by Nd:YAG laser treatment.
- To elucidate the potential mechanism of laser therapy for onychomycosis.
Main Methods:
- Toe nails with onychomycosis were treated with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser.
- Raman spectroscopy was employed to analyze changes in nail keratin's chemical structure before and after laser treatment.
Main Results:
- Laser treatment significantly reduced or eliminated the disulfide band (490-590 cm⁻¹) in nail keratin.
- Changes in the amide I band (1500-1700 cm⁻¹) indicated alterations in protein secondary structure.
- The ratio of α-helical to β-sheet structures in keratin was reversed post-laser treatment.
Conclusions:
- Nd:YAG laser treatment induces measurable chemical and structural modifications in nail keratin.
- These keratin alterations, particularly disulfide bond reduction and conformational changes, may contribute to the therapeutic effect of laser treatment on onychomycosis.
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