FTIR-ATR and FT-Raman Spectroscopy for Biochemical Changes in Oral Tissue

Abstract

Nowadays, biomedicine development is caused by the necessity of fast premalignant and malignant diagnosis. In the case of cancer, it is important to identify degree of tumor’s malice. We investigated the differences of Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR) and FT-Raman spectroscopy between leukoplakia, oral cancer and normal tissues. Human tissue contains many compounds with known absorption spectra in the range of Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. These compounds have a fingerprint region, which permits their characterization. FTIR spectroscopy is a promising diagnostic tool. There is ability to detect skin, cervix, prostate, breast, esophagus, stomach, bladder and oral cancers [1]. Imaging using FTIR microscope allows analysis of biochemical compounds in microregions of biological materials. FTIR microspectroscopy is the perfect technique for tissues and individual cells analysis [1]. It delivers information about biochemistry of cell or tissue samples and has been applied in many areas of medical research [2]. IR absorption spectra of abnormal tissues and normal tissues are compared by lipid (2800 - 3000 cm–1), protein (1500 - 1700 cm–1), and nucleic acids (1000 - 1250 cm–1) regions [2]. One of the mucous membrane lesions of the mouth is leukoplakia. This change has a “fingerprint region” in the range of 900 - 1800 cm–1 [3]. Raman spectroscopy has high potential of medical diagnosis. This method is a molecular specific technique that can be used to develop a fundamental biochemical understanding of tissue physiology and pathology. Both methods are dedicated to screening of preneoplastic and neoplastic tissues and have a potential to reduce morbidity of leucoplakia and oral cancers. Obtained data suggested that these infrared techniques are applicable to biomedical and clinical diagnostics.