Landulfo Silveira

Raman spectroscopy applied to identify metabolites in urine of physically active subjects

Raman spectroscopy is a rapid and non-destructive technique suitable for biological fluids analysis. In this work, dispersive Raman spectroscopy has been employed as a rapid and nondestructive technique to detect the metabolites in urine of physically active subjects before and after vigorous 30min pedaling or running compared to sedentary subjects. For so, urine samples from 9 subjects were obtained before and immediately after physical activities and submitted to Raman spectroscopy (830nm excitation, 250mW laser power, 20s integration time) and compared to urine from 5 sedentary subjects. The Raman spectra of urine from sedentary showed peaks related to urea, creatinine, ketone bodies, phosphate and other nitrogenous compounds. These metabolic biomarkers presented peaks with different intensities in the urine of physically active individuals after exercises compared to before, measured by the intensity of selected peaks the Raman spectra, which means different concentrations after training. These peaks presented different intensity values for each subject before physical activity, also behaving differently compared to the post-training: some subjects presented increase while others decrease the intensity. Raman spectroscopy may allow the development of a rapid and non-destructive test for metabolic evaluation of the physical training in active and trained subjects using urine samples, allowing nutrition adjustment with the sports performance.

Photodynamic diagnostic in atherosclerotic artery wall of rabbits

A growing number of studies have demonstrated that autofluorescence and induced fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to distinguish normal and abnormal tissues in vivo. Through photochemical accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions it is possible to obtain induced fluorescence, this accumulation has been demonstrated in many researches. The aim of this study was to diagnose, by aluminum phthalocyanine transadventitial fluorescence, atherosclerotic plaques in artery wall of rabbits. Five male Norfolk rabbits were submitted to a high level cholesterol diet for 9 weeks. When the blood cholesterol level reached around 1000 mg/dl three of these animals were injected intravenously 50(M/50(l of aluminum phthalocyanine (AlPc). After 24 hours these animals were submitted to a surgery to expose the iliac artery. The transadventitial fluorescence spectra were acquired in several points over the artery. Characteristic peaks of the collagen, the porphyrin and the induced by AlPc were observed.

Identification and quantification of β-caryophyllene in copaiba oil using Raman spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Copaiba oleoresin presents several compounds with known biologic activity and physiologic effects, including analgesic and insecticide properties. Among them are the terpenoids (mainly diterpenes and sesquiterpenes) with β-caryophyllene, the main representative of the terpenoids and considered to be a chemical marker. This study employed Raman spectroscopy and principal component analysis (PCA) techniques to identify and quantify the β-caryophyllene marker in copaiba oil samples purchased from popular markets in Brazil. A dispersive Raman spectrometer (830 nm, 250 mW, 2 cm−1 spectral resolution) was used. Results showed the identification of the main Raman peaks from the β-caryophyllene in copaiba oil samples (main peaks at 507, 771, 1442, 1638, and 1673 cm−1). The loading vector 2 (PC2) extracted the spectral information from β-caryophyllene in the samples and the eigenvalue 2 (score 2) allowed the estimation of the concentration of this marker in commercial samples, with the concentrations from 15 to 34%. Raman spectroscopy combined with PCA may be considered to be a potential analytical tool for the quality control of Copaifera oil samples by quantifying β-caryophyllene using its unique spectral information.

Raman spectral characteristics of neck and head of femur in low-density lipoprotein receptor gene knockout mice submitted to treadmill aerobic training.

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with deterioration of bone tissue. Trough Raman spectroscopy, the present study aimed to assess the molecular changes in terms of mineral and organic bone-tissue remodeling in low-density lipoprotein receptor gene knockout mice (LDLr-/-) submitted to treadmill aerobic training. In order to evaluate alterations in trabecular bone and cartilage surface, neck and head femoral were assessed into four groups: (CON, n=7), the 1) animals did not perform any physical activity and had hypercholesterolemia (CON, n=7); The trained groups where animals underwent a protocols of low, moderate and high training for 8weeks and 4 times per week on a treadmill with progressive intensities: running speed (8-13m/min) and time of exercise (20-60min). These progressive intensities were needed to adjust the working load for the physical training to 2) 30-49% (LOW, n=7), 3) 50-79% (MOD, n=7), and 4) 80-100% (HIGH, n=7) of the maximum running speed. Each group was examined for molecular changes in both bone phases (mineral and organic) using principal components analysis (PCA). All exercised groups showed a significant increase (p<0.05) of bone remodeling in trabecular area and a higher content of proteins (organic content) in cartilage independently of physical activity intensity. Thus, this work demonstrated that physical training could act as a bone-protector factor in hyperlipidemic animal model as well as Raman technique associated with PCA analysis may be feasible methodology for assessment or monitoring of bone at the molecular level.

Near-infrared Raman spectroscopy to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in blood sera of domestic cats

Near-infrared (NIR) Raman spectroscopy has been studied for the last years for many biomedical applications. It is a powerful tool for biological materials analysis. Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis in public health, cats being the principal responsible for the transmission of the disease in Brazil. The objective of this work is to investigate a new method of diagnosis of this disease. NIR Raman spectroscopy was used to detect anti Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in blood sera from domestic cats, without sample preparation. In all, six blood serum samples were used for this study. A previous serological test was done by the Indirect Immunoenzymatic Assay (ELISA) to permit a comparative study between both techniques and it showed that three serum samples were positive and the other three were negative to toxoplasmosis. Raman spectra were taken for all the samples and analyzed by using the principal components analysis (PCA). A diagnosis parameter was defined from the analysis of the second and third principal components of the Raman spectra. It was found that this parameter can detect the infection level of the animal. The results have indicated that NIR Raman spectroscopy, associated to the PCA can be a promising technique for serological analysis, such as toxoplasmosis, allowing a fast and sensitive method of diagnosis.

Multivariate Method Based on Raman Spectroscopy for Quantification of Dipyrone in Oral Solutions

This work employed a quantitative model based on Raman spectroscopy and principal component regression (RS/PCR) to quantify the active ingredient dipyrone (metamizole) in commercially available formulations as an analytical methodology for quality control in the pharmaceutical industry. Raman spectra were collected using a dispersive Raman spectrometer (830 nm, 250 mW excitation, and 20 s exposure time) coupled to a Raman probe. Solutions of dipyrone diluted in water in the range of 80 to 120% of the concentration of commercial formulations (500 mg/mL) were used to develop a calibration model based on PCR to obtain the figures of merit for class I validation from the Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance Agency (ANVISA, RE no. 899/2003). This spectral model was then used to predict the concentration of dipyrone in commercial formulations from distinct brands with 500 mg/mL. A prediction error of 6.5 mg/mL (1.3%) was found for this PCR model using the diluted samples. Commercial formulations had predicted concentrations with a difference below 5.0% compared to the label concentration, indicating the applicability of Raman spectroscopy for quality control in the final product.

Influence of phototherapies on the outcome of complete tibial fractures grafted or not with MTA: Raman spectroscopic study on rabbits

The aim of the present study was to assess, by means of Raman spectroscopy, the repair of complete surgical tibial fractures fixed with wire osteosynthesis or miniplates treated or not with infrared laser (λ780 nm) or infrared LED (λ850 ± 10 nm) lights, 142.8 J/cm2 per treatment, associated or not to the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) cement. Surgical fractures were created on 36 rabbits and fixed with WO or miniplates and some groups were grafted with MTA. Irradiated groups received lights at every other day for 15 days and sacrifice occurred after 30 days. The results showed that only irradiation with either laser or LED influenced the peaks of phosphate (~960 cm-1) and carbonated (~1,070 cm-1) hydroxyapatite. Collagen peak (1,450 cm-1) was influenced by both the use of MTA and irradiation with either laser or LED. It is concluded that the use of either laser or LED phototherapy associated to MTA cement was efficacious on improving the repair of complete tibial fractures treated with wire osteosynthesis or miniplates.

The effect of phototherapies on bone repair of euthyroid and hypothyroid rats: Raman spectroscopic study

The repair of bone tissue is complex and can be influenced by several local and systemic factors that can delay the repair. Laser and LED phototherapies have shown positive results in the repair of bone tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate, through Raman spectroscopy, the influence of laser (λ780 nm) and LED (λ850 nm) phototherapies in the repair of surgical defects in femurs of euthyroid and hypothyroid rats. Thirty Albinus Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. The animals of the hypothyroid groups were submitted to surgical removal of the thyroid gland. After general anesthesia, a surgical bone defect was created in the femur of each animal and filled with blood clot in all groups. In group I (Euthyroid) the defect was created in euthyroid animals; In Group II (Hypo) the defect was created in hypothyroid animals; In Group III (Euthyroid Laser) the defect was irradiated with Laser; on Group IV (Hypo Laser) the defect was made in a hypothyroid animal and irradiated with Laser; on Group V (Euthyroid LED) the defect was irradiated with LED and on Group VI (Hypo LED) the defect was created in hypothyroid animals and LED irradiated. Irradiation was carried out at every 48-h for 15 days. Specimens were taken and stored in liquid nitrogen. Intensity of peaks of phosphate HA (~960 cm-1), carbonated HA (~1,070 cm-1) and collagen (~1,414 cm-1) were measured by Raman Spectroscopy. The results showed that the health status had significant influence all peaks. Irradiation influenced only the peak of ~1454 cm-1. It is concluded that phototherapies influences bone repair in cases of thyroid diseases.

Detecting urine metabolites related to training performance in swimming athletes by means of Raman spectroscopy and principal component analysis

Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a vibrational technique that is suitable for performing biochemical analyses in human tissues and fluids. This work has investigated the identification of biochemical markers due to physical performance in the urine of swimming athletes. This was achieved by means of the Raman features that were found before and after the swimming training compared to the sedentary control subjects. These particular biochemical marker identifications refer to and infer the physiological status of individuals. The urine samples (single stream) were collected before and after the training (velocity, middle distance and distance) of professional swimmers, as well as from sedentary subjects (control). The urine samples were submitted to RS (830 nm excitation, 350 mW, 400-1800 cm-1 spectral range, 4 cm-1 resolution) and the spectra after the training were compared to the spectra before training, and subsequently, to the control subjects. The principal component analysis (PCA) was employed in order to identify the biochemicals that were responsible for the spectral differences. The Raman features of the urine samples after training showed peaks that were related to common urine metabolites, such as urea and creatinine. PCA analysis also revealed Raman features that were attributed to other metabolites, such as creatine, ketone bodies, phosphate and nitrogenous compounds in the swimmers after training. RS was a rapid and reliable technique for the evaluation of urine metabolites that were related to the physical performance of high-level swimmers, which then allowed for an accurate assessment and a control of their physiological efficiencies.

Quantification of anhydrous ethanol and detection of adulterants in commercial Brazilian gasoline by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Raman spectroscopy can be used to evaluate the quality of fuels in a remote, rapid, and nondestructive manner without the need for reagents. In this study, Raman was used to quantify anhydrous ethanol in commercial gasoline and to detect peaks due to compounds commonly used for the adulteration of commercial gasoline. Samples of commercial gasoline were collected from fuel stations in the region of Santos, SP, Brazil. Samples of naphtha from the refinery, pure ethanol, and ethanol diluted in distilled water at concentrations close to the range used in the gasoline were also obtained and characterized. Raman spectra were collected using a dispersive Raman spectrometer (830 nm, 2 cm−1 resolution in the 400–1800 cm−1 spectral range). As expected, the spectra of commercial gasoline showed pronounced peaks of naphtha and ethanol. By using the peak intensities of the ethanol diluted in water, the ethanol concentration was found to be in the range of 27% ± 1% in most of the samples; some samples presented ethanol concentrations as high as 28.8%, suggesting adulteration. Some samples presented peaks at 766, 798, and 995 cm−1 with higher intensities, suggesting the presence of an adulterant with organic characteristics, such as solvents with aromatic rings. Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be effective in determining the adulteration of commercial gasoline, which may contribute to rapid quality control of fuels at the point of sale.