Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for searching pharmacodynamic predictors of response to antiplatelet therapy

Aim: To study the possibility of applying surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in the search for pharmacodynamic biomarkers to predict patients' response to antiplatelet therapy (AT).Material and Methods. The study included 152 healthy volunteers and patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). They were divided into four groups: healthy volunteers did not receive (group 1) and receiving (group 2) acetylsalicylic acid (ASA); patients with CVD receiving (group 3); and who did not receive AT (group 4). Gold particle-modified nanostructured titanium surfaces were developed to obtain SERS spectra of the platelets. To obtain GRS spectra of platelets, an original optical sensor was developed based on a nanostructured titanium surface modified with gold particles.Results. Statistically significant differences were detected in some SERS spectra intensities between both group 1 vs group 3 and group 1 vs group 4 at four SERS frequency shifts (FS): 485, 505, 990, 1465 cm-1. Correlations were found between the SERS spectra of group 2 and the results of aggregometry under the Coll/ADP activator. The SERS spectra of all participants and the results of aggregometry under the P2Y activator; the SERS spectra of the patients in group 4 and the results of aggregometry under the P2Y activator also were found.Conclusion. SERS spectroscopy can be used to detect and differentiate changes in the molecular structure of platelets after exposure to CVD or AT. The SERS spectrum intensities most suitable for the study of AT pharmacodynamic effects are 485, 505, 990 and 1465 cm-1. The detected spectral changes of peripheral blood platelets in patients with CVD correlate with the aggregometry changes obtained using a P2Y activator cartridge.