Probing the viscosity changes of acute kidney injury by fluorescence imaging

Elucidating the viscosity level under the pathology of acute kidney injury (AKI) is of great significance. However, this necessary and interesting work has never been explored. In view of this, a near-infrared (NIR) emission fluorescent probe MI-F was developed to visualize the viscosity level of AKI and evaluate the intervention ability of reduced glutathione on AKI. With MI-F, the increase of viscosity under the pathology of AKI was revealed. It also proved that the early intake of reduced glutathione has a certain inhibitory and preventive effect on the degree of kidney organ damage during AKI process. In addition, no obvious changes in the fluorescence intensity of other organs including the heart, liver, spleen and lung have been found, revealing the early stage of AKI may have less impact on other organs. Therefore, our work will provide pathological guidance for clinical studies of AKI such as diagnosis, prevention and treatment.