A novel fluorescent probe for the detection of peroxynitrite and its application in acute liver injury model

Realizing the early diagnosis of acute liver injury has become a hotspot in recent years. Since the current indexes are not specific, developing novel probes with new recognition group remains a necessity. In this work, we developed a novel fluorescent probe, NNP, for the detection of ONOO^- in acute liver injury (ALI). The in vitro evaluation of NNP indicated the advantages including high sensitivity (LOD = 0.13 μM), rapid response (<25 s), naked-eye (red to yellow), and stability under various pH (4-10) and time (>48 h) conditions. Accordingly, NNP achieved the dose-dependent detection of ONOO^- in human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells. Further, in the ALI model mice, NNP could monitor the ONOO^- level in the occurrence of ALI in situ (in the liver region) with a steady performance. Subsequent immunohistochemical and imaging studies confirmed that NNP could achieve the detection of endogenous ONOO^- in ALI liver tissues. This work introduced a practical implement for the ONOO^- detection in ALI as well as a referable example for the establishment of molecular indexes in pre-clinical diagnosis.