Monitoring of Biochemical Changes through the C6 Gliomas Progression and Invasion by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Imaging

We have investigated the spatial distribution of molecular changes associated with C6 glioma progression using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectro-imaging in order to determine spectroscopic markers for early diagnosis of tumor growth. Our results showed that at day 7 after tumor implantation, FTIR investigations displayed a very small abnormal zone associated with the proliferation of C6 cells in the caudate putamen. From this day, rats developed solid and well-circumscribed tumors and invasive areas. The volume of peritumoral areas increased rapidly until day 19. The maturation of the tumor was accompanied by a diminution in its proliferative and invasive area. The presence of necrotic areas was visible from day 15. A non-negative least-squares algorithm was used to quantify spatial distribution of molecular changes in tissues (lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins) associated with glioma progression. Compared to those in normal brain, statistical tests on fit coefficients showed that the concentrations of sphingomyelin (SMY), nucleic acids, phosphatidylserine (PS), and galactocerebroside (GalC) were significantly affected during C6 glioma development. These constituents can be used as spectroscopic markers for C6 glioma progression. Indeed, the concentration of DNA decreased significantly from tumor to invasion, to normal brain tissues, the necrotic area has higher concentrations of the Galc than other areas. The PS content was significantly higher in the peritumoral zone and decreased in the tumor zones matter.