Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy analysis of spinal cord lesions treated with Photobiomodulation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes secondary neuroinflammation and metabolic failure, worsening functional deficits.
• Developing effective strategies to mitigate progressive degeneration after SCI is a major challenge in regenerative medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neuroprotective effects of an 808-nm infrared photobiomodulation (PBM) regimen in a rat spinal cord contusion model.
• To characterize microenvironmental molecular dynamics using FT-Raman spectroscopy, PCA, and histology.

Main Methods:

• A 14-day 808-nm infrared PBM regimen was applied to a rat spinal cord contusion model.
• Fourier-transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy coupled with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for molecular analysis.
• Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Luxol Fast Blue (LFB) histology were employed for validation.

Main Results:

• PBM stabilized the biochemical microenvironment cranial to the lesion epicenter.
• Spectroscopic analysis indicated PBM preserved protein structural integrity (Amide I band) and reduced lipid disorder (myelin sheath degradation).
• PBM normalized glucose-related signatures, suggesting improved tissue homeostasis, with a differential response observed between cranial and distal segments.

Conclusions:

• PBM demonstrates potential as a targeted, non-invasive strategy to limit SCI propagation.
• FT-Raman spectroscopy serves as an effective, label-free platform for monitoring molecular changes during neural repair after SCI.