Glutathione (GSH) plays a crucial role in maintaining redox homeostasis in the kidneys. Therefore, achieving real-time dynamic monitoring of renal GSH is of significant importance for the early diagnosis and prevention of kidney oxidative-reductive imbalance. Herein, intelligently activatable and renally clearable second near-infrared (NIR-II) emissive gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) were designed for real-time dynamic monitoring of renal GSH expression levels. The designed Au NCs were transported into the kidneys via the bloodstream and rapidly activated by intrarenal GSH, resulting in activated NIR-II fluorescence. More importantly, the in situ dynamic monitoring of the renal GSH change induced by the anethole trithione (ATT) and l-buthionine-sulfoximine (L-BSO) drugs was successfully achieved. Additionally, activated Au NCs can be quickly cleared and excreted through urine. These findings provide a new strategy for the in situ, real-time dynamic monitoring of renal GSH expression levels.
Keywords: GSH monitoring; gold nanoclusters; renal clearance; turn on NIR-II imaging.