Biomolecular characterization of human deep fascia in type 2 diabetes by FTIR spectroscopy and integrated chemometric analysis

Ugwoke, Chiedozie Kenneth (author), Abdelmonaem, Mohamed Elwy (author), Ganc, Patrik (author), Alibegović, Armin (author), Cvetko, Erika (author), Grdadolnik, Jože (author), Zupančič, Barbara (author), Umek, Nejc (author)

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with adverse changes in connective tissues, including fasciae, contributing to complications such as diabetic foot ulcers. Molecular characterization of fascial alterations in T2DM remains limited. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy enables label-free biochemical profiling of multiple macromolecular classes, potentially addressing limitations of conventional histochemical methods. This study aimed to characterize T2DM-associated biomolecular changes in human deep fasciae using attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics. Methods ATR-FTIR spectra were obtained from wet postmortem samples of fascia lata, thoracolumbar fascia, and plantar fascia from 18 male subjects with T2DM and 18 non-diabetic controls. Multi-stage multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) identified spectral components and their proportions. Complementary semiquantitative histochemical analyses of selected macromolecules were also performed. Results MCR-ALS resolved FTIR spectra into five components: collagen-dominant dense/ordered (SC1) and less ordered/loose (SC2) structures, ground substance (SC3), lipids (SC4), and water (SCBW). Significant differences in SC1, SC4, and SCBW contributions were detected across fascia types. T2DM samples showed significantly reduced ground substance (SC3) in thoracolumbar fascia, with trends toward lower dense collagen and increased SC2/SC1 ratio most evident in this region. Histochemistry showed decreased glycosaminoglycans (plantar fascia) and PAS-positive polysaccharides/glycoconjugates (thoracolumbar fascia) in T2DM, with elastin varying by fascia type but not diabetes status. Conclusion ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with MCR-ALS characterized region-dependent macromolecular profiles in human deep fascia and identified a T2DM-associated reduction in a ground-substance-associated component in thoracolumbar fascia. This approach offers a promising method to investigate connective tissue biomolecular alterations in metabolic diseases.

• Language: English
• Keywords: deep fascia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: MF - Faculty of Medicine; BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 17 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 28, art. 103642
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-185022
• UDC: 616.4
• ISSN on article: 2211-7156
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103642
• COBISS.SI-ID: 285437443
• Publication date in RUL: 21.07.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Results in chemistry
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2211-7156
• COBISS.SI-ID: 56332803

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: globoka fascija, sladkorna bolezen tipa 2, infrardeča spektroskopija s Fourierovo transformacijo