A Microenvironment-responsive small-molecule probe and application in quick acute myocardial infarction imaging

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Research
• Molecular Probes

Background:

• Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) poses significant risks due to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
• Early diagnosis of AMI is crucial but challenging, requiring noninvasive and nonradioactive methods.
• Elevated peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a key microenvironmental marker following AMI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel near-infrared imaging probe (BBEB) for sensitive and specific detection of AMI.
• To assess BBEB's capability for early-stage, noninvasive diagnosis of myocardial damage.
• To demonstrate BBEB's utility in visualizing endogenous peroxynitrite (ONOO-) levels and monitoring antioxidant therapy.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of the BBEB near-infrared imaging probe.
• In vitro and in vivo experiments using cellular and animal models of AMI.
• Utilizing BBEB to monitor endogenous peroxynitrite (ONOO-) levels in real-time.
• Assessing the probe's sensitivity, specificity, temporal, and spatial resolution.

Main Results:

• BBEB successfully delineated AMI lesion boundaries with high sensitivity and specificity.
• The probe enabled early detection of myocardial damage at cellular and animal levels.
• BBEB visualized peroxynitrite (ONOO-) level changes during AMI and antioxidant treatment.
• Exceptional temporal and spatial resolution were achieved in imaging myocardial injury.

Conclusions:

• BBEB is a promising tool for rapid, accurate, and early noninvasive visualization of myocardial injury in AMI.
• The probe facilitates the assessment of endogenous peroxynitrite (ONOO-) as a biomarker for AMI.
• BBEB can aid in the screening and evaluation of antioxidant drugs for AMI treatment.