Bone Abstracts

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the chemical information in trabecular bone by Raman spectroscopy in the osteoarthritic and non-osteoarthritic distal femur.

Materials and methods: Distal femur specimens were obtained from ten donors composed of ten womens with OA (mean age of 63 years, ranging from 50 to 76). As controls, the normal distal femur was sampled from age and gender matched donors consisting of ten womens (mean age of 53 years, ranging from 58 to 79). The subchondral trabeculae were obtained from the middle of medial articular surface of distal femurs. Cored trabecular bone specimens were analyzed Raman spectroscopy.

SERS spectra were recorded with a SENTERRA confocal Raman system (Bruker Optics, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA). A 785 nm diode laser with 10 mW power at the laser source was used for excitation. The diameter of the focal spot was ~ 2.4 μm with a 20× objective lens (N. A. 0.4). Spectra were recorded over the range of 150 1800 per cm with spectral resolution of 3 per cm and integration time of 30s. Baseline correction was performed by the rubber-band method.

Results: Wavenumber showed that a similar trend in the OA and non-OA. But, There was significant difference in Raman intensity (phosphate, hydroxyproline, proline, carbonate, amide I and III, CH2 between two groups.

Conclusion: The result suggested that OA may affects the chemical compositions of trabecular bone. The Raman spectroscopy is useful for analysis of the chemical information of trabecular bone. Information of chemical composition may be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of bone diseases.