Redox-Activated Contrast-Enhanced <i>T</i><sub>1</sub>-Weighted Imaging Visualizes Glutathione-Mediated Biotransformation Dynamics in the Liver.

Liu, Kun; Kang, Bilun; Luo, Xiangjie; Yang, Zhaoxuan; Sun, Chengjie; Li, Ao; Fan, Yifan; Chen, Xiaoyuan et al. · ACS Nano · 2021

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

GSH-mediated liver biotransformation is a crucial physiological process demanding efficient research tools. Here, we report a type of amorphous Fe<sub><i>x</i></sub>Mn<sub><i>y</i></sub>O nanoparticles (AFMO-ZDS NPs) as redox-activated probes for <i>in vivo</i> visualization of the dynamics of GSH-mediated biotransformation in liver with <i>T</i><sub>1</sub>-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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