Nonlinear Spectral Imaging Research For Wound Healing Of Rabbit Ear Cartilage

[Objective] Try to use the technology of nonlinear spectral imaging(NLSI)which based on two-photon excited fluorescence(TPEF) and second harmonicgeneration(SHG) to dynamically monitor the wound healing of rabbit ear cartilage. It’saim is to explore a new clinical method for monitoring the process of cartilage woundhealing, the diagnosis of cartilage related disease.[Method] In a rabbit ear wound healing model, four cartilage specimen groups at1-,4-,20-week healing time points as well as a normal ear cartilage were examinedwith NLSI technology. NLSI images at wound margins were obtained from specimensat different healing stages, and then compared with the HE stained images. Imageanalysis was performed to characterize the collagen content, collagen orientation indexand averaged cartilage lacuna area for quantifying the wound healing progression of earcartilage.[Results] NLSI provided high resolution images of ear cartilage. Comparisons ofthe images of specimens at different healing stages show obvious cell growth andmatrix deposition. The results are consistent with the traditional histological results.Moreover, it successfully monitored the alteration in the collagen content, collagenorientation index and cartilage lacuna during different stages of wound healing.[Conclusion] NLSI technology has the ability to monitor the wound healingprogression of ear cartilage and quantitative characterization of collagen and otherelements during wound healing. Rabbit ear cartilage has the ability of regeneration, butthe newborn cartilage tissues are different in morphology and ingredient. NLSI is apotentially clinical method for monitoring the process of cartilage wound healing, thediagnosis of cartilage related disease.