Identification of a biochemical marker for endothelial dysfunction using Raman spectroscopy

In the present work, we propose the spectroscopic approach to identify biochemical alterations in endothelial dysfunction. The method is based on the quantification of the ratio of phenylalanine (Phe) to tyrosine (Tyr) contents in the endothelium. The synthesis of Tyr from Phe requires the presence of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) as a cofactor of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). Limitation of BH4 availability in the endothelium is a hallmark endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) dysfunction that may also lead to PAH dysfunction and a fall in Tyr contents. Using Raman spectra, the ratio of marker bands of Tyr to Phe was calculated and the pathological state of the endothelium was detected. We provide evidence that Phe/Tyr ratio analysis by Raman spectroscopy discriminate endothelial dysfunction in ApoE/LDLR−/− mice as compared to control mice.