Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
Measurement of Pulse Propagation Velocity, Distensibility and Strain in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mouse Model
Published on: February 23, 2020
Distinct Chemical Changes in Abdominal but Not in Thoracic Aorta upon Atherosclerosis Studied Using Fiber Optic Raman
Krzysztof Czamara1, Zuzanna Majka1, Magdalena Sternak1
1Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, 14 Bobrzynskiego Str., 30-348 Krakow, Poland.
Abstract:
Fiber optic Raman spectroscopy and Raman microscopy were used to investigate alterations in the aorta wall and the surrounding perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in the murine model of atherosclerosis (Apoe mice). Both abdominal and thoracic parts of the aorta were studied to account for the heterogenic chemical composition of aorta and its localization-dependent response in progression of atherosclerosis. The average Raman spectra obtained for both parts of aorta cross sections revealed that the chemical composition of intima-media layers along aorta remains relatively homogeneous while the lipid content in the adventitia layer markedly increases with decreasing distance to PVAT. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the increase of the lipid to protein ratio in the aorta wall correlates directly with the increased unsaturation level of lipids in PVAT and these changes occur only in the abdominal, but not in thoracic, aorta. In summary, distinct pathophysiological response in the aortic vascular wall could be uncovered by fiber optic Raman spectroscopy based on simple parameters detecting chemical contents of lipids in PVAT.
Insights
Fiber optic Raman spectroscopy reveals distinct chemical changes in the aorta wall and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) during atherosclerosis progression in mice. Lipid content increases correlate with PVAT lipid unsaturation, particularly in the abdominal aorta.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Pathology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Atherosclerosis involves complex biochemical changes in the aorta and surrounding tissues.
- Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) plays a role in modulating vascular wall responses.
- Understanding these chemical alterations is crucial for diagnosing and treating atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate aorta wall and PVAT chemical alterations in a murine model of atherosclerosis using Raman spectroscopy.
- To explore the relationship between lipid content in the aorta and lipid unsaturation in PVAT.
- To determine if these changes are localized to specific aortic regions (abdominal vs. thoracic).
Main Methods:
- Utilized fiber optic Raman spectroscopy and Raman microscopy.
- Analyzed both abdominal and thoracic aorta sections from Apoe mice.
- Quantified lipid and protein content and assessed lipid unsaturation levels.
Main Results:
- Intima-media layers showed homogeneous chemical composition, while adventitia lipid content increased near PVAT.
- Increased lipid-to-protein ratio in the aorta wall directly correlated with higher lipid unsaturation in PVAT.
- These correlations were observed specifically in the abdominal aorta, not the thoracic aorta.
Conclusions:
- Fiber optic Raman spectroscopy can detect distinct pathophysiological changes in the aortic vascular wall.
- Simple parameters analyzing PVAT lipid chemistry effectively reveal localized atherosclerotic responses.
- Atherosclerosis progression exhibits region-specific biochemical alterations in the aorta and PVAT.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies