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Redox-Activated Contrast-Enhanced T1-Weighted Imaging Visualizes Glutathione-Mediated Biotransformation Dynamics in the Liver.

Kun LiuBilun KangXiangjie LuoZhaoxuan YangChengjie SunAo LiYifan FanXiaoyuan Shawn ChenJinhao GaoHongyu Lin
Published in: ACS nano (2021)
GSH-mediated liver biotransformation is a crucial physiological process demanding efficient research tools. Here, we report a type of amorphous FexMnyO nanoparticles (AFMO-ZDS NPs) as redox-activated probes for in vivo visualization of the dynamics of GSH-mediated biotransformation in liver with T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This imaging technique reveals the periodic variations in GSH concentration during the degradation of AFMO-ZDS NPs due to the limited transportation capacity of GSH carriers in the course of GSH efflux from hepatocytes to perisinusoidal space, providing direct imaging evidence for this important carrier-mediated process during GSH-mediated biotransformation. Therefore, this technique offers an effective method for in-depth investigations of GSH-related biological processes in liver under various conditions as well as a feasible means for the real-time assessment of liver functions, which is highly desirable for early diagnosis of liver diseases and prompt a toxicity evaluation of pharmaceuticals.
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