Recent Advances in Small Molecular Fluorescence Probes for Fatty Liver Diseases
Bo Liu,
Honghui Yin,
Yaxiong Li,
Guojiang Mao,
Sheng Yang,
Kai Zhang
Affiliations
Bo Liu
Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Honghui Yin
Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Yaxiong Li
Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Guojiang Mao
Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
Sheng Yang
Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Kai Zhang
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
Fatty liver diseases are a spectrum of liver disorders consisting of the benign fatty liver, which could eventually lead to cirrhosis or even hepatocellular cancer (HCC) without timely treatment. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial for fatty liver diseases. Liver biopsy is regarded as the gold standard in the diagnosis of fatty liver diseases. However, it is not recommended for routine use due to its invasiveness and complicated operation. Thus, it is urgent to diagnose fatty liver diseases with non-invasive and precise methods. In this regard, fluorescence imaging technology has attracted intensive attention and become a robust non-invasive method for fatty liver visualization, and a series of fluorescent probes are being intensively designed to track the biomarkers in fatty liver. In this brief review, the small molecular fluorescent probes employed in fatty liver are summarized, mainly focusing on the last four years. Moreover, current opportunities and challenges in the development of fluorescent probes for fatty liver will be highlighted.