In vivo quantitative photoacoustic monitoring of corticosteroid-induced vasoconstriction

Donggyu Kim; Joongho Ahn; Eunwoo Park; Jin Young Kim; Chulhong Kim

doi:10.1117/1.JBO.28.8.082805

24 February 2023 In vivo quantitative photoacoustic monitoring of corticosteroid-induced vasoconstriction

Donggyu Kim, Joongho Ahn, Eunwoo Park, Jin Young Kim, Chulhong Kim

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Biomedical Optics, Vol. 28, Issue 8, 082805 (February 2023). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.28.8.082805

Abstract

Significance

Corticosteroids—commonly prescribed medications for skin diseases—inhibit the secretion of vasodilators, such as prostaglandin, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory action by constricting capillaries in the dermis. The effectiveness of corticosteroids is determined by the degree of vasoconstriction followed by skin whitening, namely, the blanching effect. However, the current method of observing the blanching effect indirectly evaluates the effects of corticosteroids.

Aim

In this study, we employed optical-resolution photoacoustic (PA) microscopy (OR-PAM) to directly visualize the blood vessels and quantitatively evaluate vasoconstriction.

Approach

Using OR-PAM, the vascular density in mice skin was monitored for 60 min after performing each experimental procedure for four groups, and the vasoconstriction was quantified. Volumetric PA data were segmented into the papillary dermis, reticular dermis, and hypodermis based on the vascular characteristics obtained through OR-PAM. The vasoconstrictive effect of each skin layer was quantified according to the dermatological treatment method.

Results

In the case of corticosteroid topical application, vasoconstriction was observed in the papillary (56.4 ± 10.9 % ) and reticular (45.1 ± 4.71 % ) dermis. For corticosteroid subcutaneous injection, constriction was observed solely in the reticular (49.5 ± 9.35 % ) dermis. In contrast, no vasoconstrictions were observed with nonsteroidal topical application.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that OR-PAM can quantitatively monitor the vasoconstriction induced by corticosteroids, thereby validating OR-PAMs potential as a practical evaluation tool for predicting the effectiveness of corticosteroids in dermatology.

CC BY: © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

Citation Download Citation

Donggyu Kim, Joongho Ahn, Eunwoo Park, Jin Young Kim, and Chulhong Kim "In vivo quantitative photoacoustic monitoring of corticosteroid-induced vasoconstriction," Journal of Biomedical Optics 28(8), 082805 (24 February 2023). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.28.8.082805

Received: 16 October 2022; Accepted: 2 February 2023; Published: 24 February 2023

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