Noninvasive diagnosis of arthritis by autofluorescence.
OBJECTIVE
The detection of arthritis by autofluorescence was investigated using an antigen-induced arthritis model.


METHODS
For autofluorescence investigations of joints, a mobile fluorescence-detector was constructed consisting of a lens/mirror system attached to a conventional spectrofluorometer and optimized fiber optic cables reaching to and from the site of investigation. Autofluorescence measurements were performed at 7 arthritic and 7 healthy mice. Fifteen antigen-induced arthritis and 3 healthy mice were used for histologic examinations.


RESULTS
In the exudative stage (day 1), a decrease of emission signal intensities for excitation wavelengths at 300 nm (emission, 355-365 nm) and 360 nm (emission, 475-485 nm) was observed. Signals increased on day 7 (maximum of cellular infiltration). Chronic inflammation (day 14 and 21) led to a decrease of signals again.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthritis influences autofluorescence signals in vivo. The detected excitation/emission pairs can be assigned to collagen/elastin and NAD(P)H. Signal intensities of NAD(P)H differed significantly from controls at day 1 and 7.
Hansch
Andreas
A
Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich Schiller University-Jena, Bachstrasse 18, 07740 Jena, Germany. andreas.hansch@med.uni-jena.de
Sauner
Dieter
D
Hilger
Ingrid
I
Frey
Oliver
O
Haas
Michael
M
Malich
Ansgar
A
Bräuer
Rolf
R
Kaiser
Werner A
WA
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D004549:Elastin / Q000032:analysis; D005453:Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009243:NAD / Q000032:analysis; D009249:NADP / Q000032:analysis
D009243:NAD; D009249:NADP; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin