ABSTRACT
The early detection of bronchial inflammation in asthma, through a non-invasive, simple method and under a subclinical state, could lead to a more effective control of this condition. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers of bronchial inflammation in the saliva of children with asthma through immunoassay and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in 44 children ages 6-12; the diagnosis of asthma was made according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) standards. The children's saliva was analyzed by immunoassay for the quantification of 37 cytokines, as well as SERS analysis in a confocal Raman microscope at 785 nm. We found a significant association between bronchial obstruction and IL-8 (p = 0.004), IL-10 (p = 0.008) and sCD163 (p = 0.003). The Raman spectra showed significant amplification in the region of 760 to 1750 cm-1. The Principal Component Analysis and Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA-LDA) method has a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 82% and an accuracy of 84% for the diagnosis of asthma. These results demonstrate the presence of a subclinical inflammatory state, suggestive of bronchial remodeling in the population studied. The SERS method is a potential tool for identifying bronchial inflammation and its endotype, allowing for a highly sensitive and specific diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Asthma/diagnosis , Bronchitis/diagnosis , Cytokines/analysis , Saliva/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Asthma/classification , Asthma/physiopathology , Biomarkers , Bronchitis/classification , Bronchitis/physiopathology , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Early Diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Mexico , Principal Component Analysis , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Melasma is an acquired, facial hyperpigmentation without a specific origin. It is regularly associated with multiple etiologic factors such as pregnancy, genetic, racial, and from estrogen administration. Among the methods to treat skin hyperpigmentation a series of skin bleaching agents have been used. At present, the most commonly used agent is known as hydroquinone. Nowadays, it is known that hydroquinone can cause cancer in animals with unknown relevance to humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work, Raman spectroscopy was used to observe the presence of hydroquinone in the skin of 18 patients who have been under treatment for melasma. RESULTS: A significant increase in the Raman signal was observed in the six bands associated with hydroquinone after melasma treatment. CONCLUSION: The authors believe that monitoring the presence of hydroquinone may be useful for an optimal personalized treatment of melasma and to provide the specialist a support tool to control the administration of this type of bleaching agents.
Subject(s)
Fluocinolone Acetonide/analogs & derivatives , Hydroquinones/analysis , Hydroquinones/therapeutic use , Melanosis/drug therapy , Skin Lightening Preparations/therapeutic use , Tretinoin/therapeutic use , Adult , Drug Monitoring , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Fluocinolone Acetonide/therapeutic use , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Precision Medicine , Skin/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis, Raman , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Melasma is an abnormal acquired hyperpigmentation of the face of unknown origin, it is considered a single disease and very little has been found regarding its pathogenesis. It is usually assumed that melasma is due to excessive melanin production, but previous work using Raman spectroscopy showed degraded molecules of melanin in some melasma subjects, which may help to explain the success or failure of the standard therapy. METHODS: We perform Raman spectroscopy measurements on in vivo skin from melasma patients before treatment to identify the molecular structure of melanin within every melasma lesion. The Raman spectra were grouped according to the treatment response from patient, and the Raman spectra were analyzed. RESULTS: Raman spectroscopy measurements showed a different molecular structure of the patients who did not respond to treatment, those patients shows atypical Raman skin spectrum with peaks associated with melanin not well defined, which is consistent with molecular degradation and protein breakdown. CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with our previous work in the sense that melasma patients who do not respond to treatment have an abnormal melanin. We believe it will eventually help to decide the treatment of melasma in clinical dermatology.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage , Hydroquinones/administration & dosage , Melanins/chemistry , Melanosis/drug therapy , Skin/chemistry , Tretinoin/administration & dosage , Administration, Cutaneous , Adult , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Dermatologic Agents/administration & dosage , Drug Combinations , Female , Humans , Keratolytic Agents/administration & dosage , Male , Melanins/analysis , Melanosis/metabolism , Middle Aged , Skin/drug effects , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Filaggrin (FLG) gene mutations, which result in complete or incomplete loss of proFLG/FLG peptides, have been reported as an important predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis (AD) and secondary atopic phenotypes such as atopic asthma. METHOD: The presence of the protein FLG in the skin was evaluated at birth on 12 infants using Raman spectroscopy; these 12 infants were monitored for 1 year to see whether they developed AD. Three different statistical analysis procedures, two of which involved principal component analysis (PCA), were performed on the Raman spectra in order to determine the FLG content. RESULTS: The infants who had a lower FLG content, determined using any of the three statistical analysis procedures proposed, were also the ones that clinically developed AD. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Raman spectroscopy and statistical analysis such as PCA could be used as an early detection procedure for FLG -related AD and as a possible quantitative marker for FLG gene mutations.
