Small-molecule fluorescent probes for imaging and diagnosing ischemia-reperfusion injury

The intricate pathological mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) are intimately associated with the imbalance of metabolic substance supply and demand. Investigation of the fluctuated molecules reveals the progression of reperfusion injury, facilitating earlier diagnosis and treatments. Fluorescence imaging is a powerful technique in fluorescent optical diagnosis, essential for detecting biomarker levels both in vitro and in vivo. By integrating multifunctional scaffolds with specific recognition groups, small-molecule fluorescent probes (SMFPs) effectively monitor biomarkers related to IRI, providing valuable insights into pathological mechanisms and enhancing early diagnostic capabilities. This review systemically summarizes the recent developments of SMFPs, focusing on design strategies and their applications in the main types of IRI. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and propose prospects based on existing SMFP applications in this area. We aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of SMFPs for disease diagnosis and inspire researchers to further innovate and develop effective tools for clinical applications.