Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) has been widely used by scientific researchers in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment, using various kinds of biofluids and tissues. The technology has proven to be user-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective for analyzing human blood serum in order to distinguish between cancerous and healthy control samples.
Reference:
Sala, A., Anderson, D. J., Brennan, P. M., Butler, H. J., Cameron, J. M., Jenkinson, M. D., Rinaldi, C. A., Theakstone, A. G., & Baker, M. J. (2020). Biofluid diagnostics by FTIR spectroscopy: A platform technology for cancer detection. Cancer Letters, 477, 122–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2020.02.020
When analyzing the chemical makeup of various substances, including biological samples like biofluids, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a potent analytical method. It can be used to identify and research a number of diseases and medical conditions, including cholestasis, which is characterized by impeded liver bile flow. The liver condition cholestasis happens when the liver's natural flow of bile is obstructed or reduced. Bile is a fluid that the liver produces to help with digestion, particularly of fats in food. The rapidly developing techniques of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy offer numerous advantages for the early diagnosis, grading, and monitoring of a wide range of liver diseases. Several studies have demonstrated that, in contrast to conventional histopathological investigations, infrared imaging holds great promise for understanding disease pathogenesis. Even minute amounts of chemical compounds can be identified thanks to FTIR's high accuracy and impressively detailed spectra. This is due to the fact that, unlike conventional Infrared technologies, the transform process makes the spectrum even more detailed than simply studying individual wavelengths.
It takes knowledge of infrared microspectroscopy, sample preparation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation to use infrared spectroscopy and microspectroscopy for the diagnosis, grading, and monitoring of liver diseases. With that being mentioned, the accuracy of biofluid FTIR spectroscopy in diagnosing patients with cholestasis depends on several factors including proper sample preparation for it is crucial to obtain accurate results. Other than that, although FTIR spectroscopy can identify changes in the biochemical makeup of biofluids, doing so necessitates a thorough knowledge of the pertinent biomarkers which makes the identification of specific biomarkers associated with cholestasis critical for accurate diagnosis. Lastly, depending on the degree and stage of cholestasis, the accuracy of FTIR spectroscopy may change. Compared to early-stage or mild cases, advanced cases may be more accurately detected.
There is still much to learn about the accuracy of using FTIR spectroscopy to diagnose cholestasis, and different studies have used different protocols, tools, and data analysis techniques. When assessing the suitability of FTIR spectroscopy for diagnosing cholestasis in a specific clinical context, it is crucial to take into account the state of the field and consult with medical experts. Before such methods are widely used for medical diagnosis, regulatory approvals, and clinical validation are also required.
References:
Biggers, A. (2018, November 13). Everything You Should Know About Cholestasis: Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cholestasis
On A Whole New Wavelength: What Is FTIR And How Does It Work?. (n.d.). https://www.portableas.com/news/ftir-and-how-it-works/#:~:text=FTIR%20is%20highly%20accurate%20and,than%20simply%20studying%20individual%20wavelengths.
Spragg, R.A. (1999). IR Spectrometers: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/fourier-transform-infrared-spectrometer
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