Interpret the potential role of zinc against oxidative stress in inflammation with a practical fluorescent assay

Zinc plays a critical role in inflammation and apoptosis, potentially offering new insights into health and disease beyond its established involvement in various biological processes. A fluorescent probe, SPI, has been designed and synthesized for the real-time detection of dynamic changes of zinc ions (Zn²⁺) in the potential resistance to oxidative stress, showing fluorescence enhancement at approximately 639 nm with a limit of detection of around 65 pM, which allowed it to identify even low concentrations of Zn²⁺ with intrinsic excellent biocompatibility. By establishing a cellular inflammation and apoptosis model using HT-DNA, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and dexamethasone (DXMS), the study effectively simulates conditions that can alter Zn²⁺ dynamics. Monitoring the fluorescence changes of SPI in response to these conditions allows researchers to observe how Zn²⁺ levels fluctuate in real-time, providing a clearer picture of its role in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. The findings indicate that SPI can be instrumental in elucidating the detailed molecular mechanisms through which Zn²⁺ influences immune responses and associates with cellular stress pathways. Overall, the development of SPI not only replenishes a potential assay into the toolbox to study Zn²⁺ in living cells but also opens new avenues for the further investigations into the therapeutic potential of modulating zinc levels in various pathological conditions.