In this work, diffuse near‐infrared light reflectance spectroscopy based on a single optical probe, contains central single collection fiber surrounded by a circular array of illumination fibers, was used to quantify cerebral tissue properties in ApoE knockout mice following Sarcopoterium spinosum treatment. Sarcopoterium spinosum, also known as Thorny burnet, is a Mediterranean plant widely used as a traditional therapy for the treatment of a variety of pathologies, primarily type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). While it's efficacy in the treatment of T2D, and of other components of metabolic syndrome, have already been validated by us, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sarcopoterium spinosum extract (SSE) on dyslipidemia and vascular functions. We utilized ApoE deficient mice (ApoE^−/−, Atherosclerosis‐prone apolipoprotein E‐deficient), who have a severe impairment in plasma lipoprotein clearance and thus develop alterations in blood lipid profile and are highly susceptible to atherogenic plaque formation. A total of 34 male mice were divided into five groups representing various genetic, dietary, and treatment configurations. Optical measurements were used to assess changes in diffused reflectance spectra, optical properties (absorption and scattering), and cerebral tissue chromophore contents. Specifically, significant improvement in cerebral hemoglobin level was observed in ApoE KO mice, fed an artherogenic diet (ATD), upon SSE treatment. Biochemical and histological analyses of ApoE^−/−ATD mice showed elevated body weight and a high level of blood triglycerides, free fatty acids and cholesterol. In contrast, in SSE treated mice improvement was observed, suggesting beneficial effects of SSE. In ApoE^−/−ATD mice group a higher levels of deoxyhemoglobin was monitored indicating that the rate of oxygen release to the tissue is low. This was supported by decrease in oxygen saturation. It was also shown a reduction in water content in the brain of ApoE KO. Mice fed with the atherogenic diet demonstrated increased water content as compared to STD‐fed ApoE KO mice, while SSE administration reversed the effect of the diet. To our knowledge, no such study has been reported before.

中文翻译：

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单探针漫反射光谱评估棘肌盆治疗对 ApoE 基因敲除小鼠脑组织特性的影响

在这项工作中，基于单个光学探针的漫反射近红外光反射光谱，包含由圆形照明光纤阵列包围的中央单收集光纤，用于量化 ApoE 敲除小鼠在棘肉菌处理后的脑组织特性。Sarcopoterium spinosum，也称为荆棘地榆，是一种地中海植物，广泛用作治疗各种疾病的传统疗法，主要是 2 型糖尿病 (T2D)。虽然它在治疗 T2D 和代谢综合征的其他成分方面的功效已经得到我们的验证，但本研究的目的是研究棘肉菌的作用提取物（SSE）对血脂异常和血管功能的影响。我们使用了 ApoE 缺陷型小鼠（ApoE ^-/-，易发生动脉粥样硬化的载脂蛋白 E 缺陷型），这些小鼠的血浆脂蛋白清除率严重受损，因此血脂谱发生改变，并且对动脉粥样硬化斑块形成高度敏感。总共 34 只雄性小鼠被分为五组，代表不同的遗传、饮食和治疗配置。光学测量用于评估漫反射光谱、光学特性（吸收和散射）和脑组织发色团含量的变化。具体而言，在 SSE 治疗后，在喂食致动脉粥样硬化饮食 (ATD) 的 ApoE KO 小鼠中观察到脑血红蛋白水平显着改善。ApoE的生化和组织学分析^-/- ATD 小鼠体重增加，血液中甘油三酯、游离脂肪酸和胆固醇水平升高。相反，在 SSE 治疗的小鼠中观察到改善，表明 SSE 的有益作用。在 ApoE ^-/- ATD 小鼠组中，监测到较高水平的脱氧血红蛋白，表明向组织释放氧的速率较低。这得到了氧饱和度降低的支持。还显示 ApoE KO 大脑中的水含量减少。与喂食 STD 的 ApoE KO 小鼠相比，喂食致动脉粥样硬化饮食的小鼠水含量增加，而 SSE 给药逆转了饮食的效果。据我们所知，以前没有报道过这样的研究。