Easier way of detecting kidney diseases
Posted on: 02/Jun/2015 1:34:31 PM
A new method of diagnosing kidney disease and its severity is found by researchers. This involves use of Raman spectroscopy that is an all new way of diagnosing and less-invasive as well.
With the use of optical probe and Raman spectroscopy, researchers at the University of Houston try finding out the difference between normal kidney and diseased ones.
As of now, the conventional method followed to observe functioning of kidney is renal biopsy. Apart from the side effects it has, the total number of times it can be performed on a patient is very limited as it can leave the kidney tissues damaged.
The research wasn�t focused on specific molecule or biomarker like Creatinine as an indicator of kidney function. Instead of that, they depended on the difference in Raman signals produced by healthy kidney and diseased ones.
Researchers say the difference in Raman signals should be based on specific molecules which they are not sure of. It�s good enough as long as we have such differences in signal which help us figure out the difference between the good and diseased, he added.
Raman spectroscopy gives out molecular fingerprints that allow detection that are non-invasive or minimal invasive and label-free, say researchers. This new method largely reduces the complexity of diagnosing diseases and helps monitoring anti-GBM diseases (GBM stands for glomerular basement membrane).
The accuracy obtained out of this method is 100%, they added.
This study involved mouse models that were induced with kidney disease and the demonstration of optical probe�s ability for differentiating healthy kidney vs diseased ones.
The research team also developed a metric that can quantify the disease level. This method of detection will feel on the patient just like a little pinch, and the kidney remains unaffected.
