A self-assembled fluorescent probe for H₂O₂ detection in NAFLD diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent metabolic disorder.
• Oxidative stress, particularly involving hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), is a key mechanism in NAFLD pathogenesis.
• Accurate monitoring of H2O2 is crucial for NAFLD research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel fluorescent probe for H2O2 detection.
• To evaluate the probe's performance in detecting H2O2 with high sensitivity and specificity.
• To assess the probe's utility in monitoring H2O2 levels in NAFLD models.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe, CM-CN.
• Characterization of the probe's fluorescent properties, including detection limit and Stokes shift.
• Application of the probe in zebrafish and mouse models of NAFLD to monitor H2O2 levels.

Main Results:

• CM-CN probe successfully detected H2O2 without autofluorescence.
• The probe exhibited a low detection limit (44.362 nM) and a large Stokes shift (>100 nm).
• CM-CN effectively monitored H2O2 level alterations in NAFLD animal models.

Conclusions:

• The developed CM-CN probe is a sensitive and effective tool for H2O2 detection.
• This probe holds significant potential for advancing research in reactive oxygen species biology and NAFLD.
• CM-CN can serve as a transformative tool for studying oxidative stress in hepatic steatosis.