T.P. Wróbel et al.
506
recent years [3–7].the biggest field of Ft-IR imaging applications relate to the
analysis of tumours and their progression [4, 8–10] and to the field of cellular
contents analysis [11–14]. All of these applications are based on the fact that FtIR spectroscopy is a very sensitive technique, which when further supported by
a proper data analysis approach, reveals great potential, the full scope of which
is still being developed. In addition to this, recent advancements allow for the
investigation of the spatial content distribution of samples, giving scientists new
and powerful tools of research. Studies with the use of Raman spectroscopy were
carried out in vitro in order to study biochemical changes observed during urological pathologies [15], gastric and lung cancers [16, 17], as well as changes
in metabolite components in blood [18]. there are also studies in which Raman
spectroscopy has been used in vivo. Some examples include in vivo detection of
cervical precancers [19], in vivo studies where the feasibility of near-infrared Raman spectroscopy was presented during clinical gastrointestinal endoscopy [20],
in vivo imaging of heart [21] and skin [22]. other important clinical applications
of vibrational spectroscopy include measurements of blood analytes that might
prove useful in diagnosis of such diseases as breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease
and atherosclerosis based on specific pattern of blood spectroscopic signals [23].
one of the important applications of these techniques that have emerged recently
relates to in vitro and in vivo imaging that allows for qualitative and quantitative
analysis of atherosclerotic plaques.
17.2 Atherosclerotic Arteries
17.2.1 Aorta—Biochemistry and Anatomy
Arteries are composed of three layers: tunica adventitia, tunica media and tunica
intima (Fig. 17.1a).
the most typical components of tunica adventitia, that is the outer layer of the
vessel wall, are type I collagen—networks of elastic fibers and proteoglycans that
form loose connective tissue [24, 25]. Within adventitia there are scattered fibroblasts, adipocytes, rarely macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells. the adventitia
also contains unmyelinated nerve fibers and, in large arteries, small vessels called
vasa vasorum [26].
the middle arterial layer, tunica media, consists of diagonally arranged smooth
muscle cell sublayers separated by wavy sheets of elastic membranes [24, 25]. the
major components of this layer are elastin, fibers of collagen type III, proteoglycans
and glycoproteins (secreted by vascular smooth-muscle cells) [25, 26].
the innermost layer, tunica intima, is made up of a single-cell layer of endothelial cells, subendothelial space and internal elastic lamina made of elastin, that
constitutes the border between intima and media. In the subendothelial space, there
are fibrils of elastin and extracellular matrix [25, 26].
506
recent years [3–7].the biggest field of Ft-IR imaging applications relate to the
analysis of tumours and their progression [4, 8–10] and to the field of cellular
contents analysis [11–14]. All of these applications are based on the fact that FtIR spectroscopy is a very sensitive technique, which when further supported by
a proper data analysis approach, reveals great potential, the full scope of which
is still being developed. In addition to this, recent advancements allow for the
investigation of the spatial content distribution of samples, giving scientists new
and powerful tools of research. Studies with the use of Raman spectroscopy were
carried out in vitro in order to study biochemical changes observed during urological pathologies [15], gastric and lung cancers [16, 17], as well as changes
in metabolite components in blood [18]. there are also studies in which Raman
spectroscopy has been used in vivo. Some examples include in vivo detection of
cervical precancers [19], in vivo studies where the feasibility of near-infrared Raman spectroscopy was presented during clinical gastrointestinal endoscopy [20],
in vivo imaging of heart [21] and skin [22]. other important clinical applications
of vibrational spectroscopy include measurements of blood analytes that might
prove useful in diagnosis of such diseases as breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease
and atherosclerosis based on specific pattern of blood spectroscopic signals [23].
one of the important applications of these techniques that have emerged recently
relates to in vitro and in vivo imaging that allows for qualitative and quantitative
analysis of atherosclerotic plaques.
17.2 Atherosclerotic Arteries
17.2.1 Aorta—Biochemistry and Anatomy
Arteries are composed of three layers: tunica adventitia, tunica media and tunica
intima (Fig. 17.1a).
the most typical components of tunica adventitia, that is the outer layer of the
vessel wall, are type I collagen—networks of elastic fibers and proteoglycans that
form loose connective tissue [24, 25]. Within adventitia there are scattered fibroblasts, adipocytes, rarely macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells. the adventitia
also contains unmyelinated nerve fibers and, in large arteries, small vessels called
vasa vasorum [26].
the middle arterial layer, tunica media, consists of diagonally arranged smooth
muscle cell sublayers separated by wavy sheets of elastic membranes [24, 25]. the
major components of this layer are elastin, fibers of collagen type III, proteoglycans
and glycoproteins (secreted by vascular smooth-muscle cells) [25, 26].
the innermost layer, tunica intima, is made up of a single-cell layer of endothelial cells, subendothelial space and internal elastic lamina made of elastin, that
constitutes the border between intima and media. In the subendothelial space, there
are fibrils of elastin and extracellular matrix [25, 26].