Illuminating the Function of the Hydroxyl Radical in the Brains of Mice with Depression Phenotypes by Two-Photon Fluorescence Imaging.

Depression is intimately linked with oxidative stress. As one of the most reactive and oxidative reactive oxygen species that is overproduced during oxidative stress, the hydroxyl radical ( OH) can cause macromolecular damage and subsequent neurological diseases. However, due to the high reactivity and low concentration of OH, precise exploration of OH in brains remains a challenge. The two-photon fluorescence probe MD-B was developed for in situ OH imaging in living systems. This probe achieves exceptional selectivity towards OH through the one-electron oxidation of 3-methyl-pyrazolone as a new specific recognition site. MD-B can be used to map OH in mouse brain, thereby revealing that increased OH is positively correlated with the severity of depression phenotypes. Furthermore, OH has been shown to inactivate deacetylase SIRT1, thereby leading to the occurrence and development of depression phenotypes. This work provides a new strategy for the future treatment of depression.