Concurrent Evaluation of Liver and Kidney Function by NIR-II In Vivo Imaging to Assess the Efficacy of Flavonoids in Preventing Their Injuries

Abstract

The liver and kidneys are often synchronously affected by various diseases, posing significant health challenges. Simultaneously monitoring their damage would benefit rational drug use. Herein, a new probe, SQE-715-CD, was developed to concurrently assess liver and kidney injuries using in vivo NIR-II fluorescence imaging. In addition to diagnostic advancements, this research delves into the therapeutic potential of flavonoids in protecting against liver and kidney damage caused by cisplatin. Among the seven flavonoids tested, Apigenin stands out for its substantial reduction in cisplatin-induced toxicity in both organs. Further experiments reveal that Apigenin’s pretreatment lowers kidney inflammation and inhibits the activation of crucial signaling molecules p38, ERK, and JNK. These results suggest a possible mechanism behind Apigenin’s protective effects and underscore its significance in reducing nephrotoxicity. The capability for in vivo simultaneous monitoring of liver and kidney functions proposed in this study could provide another therapeutic drug evaluation and screening method.