Detection of collagen by multi-wavelength photoacoustic analysis as a biomarker for bone health assessment

Photoacoustics, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacs.2021.100296 · Published: August 26, 2021

Medical Imaging Bioinformatics Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

This study explores using multi-wavelength photoacoustic (PA) techniques to measure collagen in bones. Collagen is a key indicator of bone health, especially concerning osteoporosis. The technique involves using pulsed laser light to create PA signals, which can then be analyzed to visualize the chemical makeup of the bone. The researchers used wavelengths between 1300–1800 nm to detect collagen content. They started with computer simulations to test the idea, then moved to experiments on animal and human bone samples. These samples had different bone densities, allowing the team to see how well the PA method worked in various conditions. The amount of collagen found by the PA method was compared to results from micro-CT scans and histology. The study found that the PA technique could accurately measure collagen content, making it a promising tool for assessing bone health.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Animal (rabbit) and human bone specimens

Evidence Level

Ex vivo experimental studies and numerical simulations

Key Findings

1
The study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using multi-wavelength photoacoustic (MWPA) analysis for detecting collagen content in bone.
2
The “relative collagen content” parameter derived from MWPA correlated well with bone volume ratio obtained from micro-CT images and histological analysis.
3
MWPA analysis is suitable for distinguishing osteoporotic and healthy bones, as well as monitoring collagen degeneration in human bone.

Research Summary

This study investigates the feasibility of using multi-wavelength photoacoustic (MWPA) analysis to detect collagen in bone as a biomarker for bone health assessment, focusing on the wavelength range of 1300–1800 nm. The research involved numerical simulations and ex vivo experiments on animal and human bone specimens, comparing MWPA-derived collagen content with micro-CT and histological results to validate the accuracy of the technique. The study concludes that MWPA has the potential to accurately determine the collagen content of bones, making it a valuable tool for assessing bone health and distinguishing between osteoporotic and healthy bones.

Practical Implications

Non-invasive Bone Assessment

MWPA offers a non-invasive method for assessing bone health, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures.

Early Osteoporosis Detection

The technique can aid in the early identification of changes in bone metabolism, facilitating timely intervention and treatment.

Personalized Treatment Monitoring

MWPA can be used to monitor the effectiveness of bone disease treatments, allowing for personalized adjustments to therapy.

Study Limitations

1
Light attenuation in the bone samples was not fully considered, which may affect the accuracy of collagen content assessment.
2
The use of a needle hydrophone may not be suitable for clinical research due to its broad frequency response and potential limitations in signal acquisition.
3
Discrepancies were observed between measured and fitted lines, particularly in human studies, potentially due to blood staining affecting the accuracy of results.

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