Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies of radiation-induced molecular changes in bone and cartilage

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Ionizing radiation therapy is used as adjuvant, primary or palliative treatment of patients with primary tumors and metastatic bone disease. However, in cancer treatment, radiation also affects healthy tissues. IR spectroscopy can give important information on the behavior of radiation to bone structure. Areas covered: Radiation effects on matrix metabolism remain unclear, with a paucity of studies to identify the radiation effects at a molecular level. Spectroscopic studies have been prominent in the literature over the past two decades. In this article, we present our own data on the effect of radiation on the structure and properties of bone at a molecular level using FT-IR spectroscopy, correlate the data with the spectra and dose received, and discuss the related literature. Expert commentary: The interaction of cells with radiation results in enhanced production of free radicals leading to an alteration of the oxidative status and multiple cell damages. The products produced during radiation, free radicals and oxidative stress are similar to those during cancer development. The production of amyloid-proteins enhances the damage of radiation, while the hydrophilic environment inhibits the endogenous repairing mechanisms. The 1743 cm−1 band, attributed to malondialdehyde, can be used as ‘marker band’ for cancer progression.