# Biomolecular Fingerprint of Crohn's Disease: A Comparative Raman Spectroscopic Study of Blood and Tissue Samples

## TL;DR

This study explores Raman spectroscopy as a noninvasive method to detect and monitor Crohn's disease by identifying molecular changes in blood and tissue samples.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy can detect inflammation-related molecular changes in plasma that correlate with tissue samples in Crohn's disease.

## Key findings

- Raman spectroscopy identified significant differences in amino acids, proteins, and carotenoids between Crohn's disease and control samples.
- Plasma Raman spectra correlated with tissue inflammation, suggesting its potential for noninvasive monitoring.
- Biochemical shifts toward healthy profiles were observed in patients undergoing biologic therapy.

## Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) is typically diagnosed through endoscopy and histological analysis of biopsies. Currently, specific noninvasive biomarkers for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of CD remain unavailable. This study investigates Raman spectroscopy (RS) as a noninvasive diagnostic and monitoring tool for CD. Plasma and biopsy samples from 66 participants (55—CD, 11—controls) were analyzed to identify disease‐specific molecular alterations. RS revealed significant spectral differences (p < 0.05) in amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and carotenoids. Decreased valine and arginine levels were consistent with mucosal damage and inflammation, supported by reduced carbohydrate signals indicating barrier impairment. Carotenoid depletion reflected oxidative stress‐related inflammation. Correlations between plasma and tissue spectra suggested that plasma RS can reflect local tissue inflammation. Despite the small and heterogeneous cohort, RS detected biochemical shifts toward healthy profiles following biologic therapy. These findings support RS as a minimally invasive approach for detecting inflammation‐associated molecular alterations, holding potential to guide personalized disease management.

Raman spectroscopy is evaluated as a minimally invasive tool for diagnosing and monitoring Crohn's disease. Correlation between plasma and tissue spectra indicates that plasma measurements reflect local intestinal inflammation, while therapy‐associated biochemical shifts toward healthy profiles highlight its potential for disease monitoring and personalized assessment.