Interpret the potential role of zinc against oxidative stress in inflammation with a practical fluorescent assay.

Zinc plays a critical role in inflammation and apoptosis, potentially offering new insights into health and disease beyond its established involvement in various biological processes. A fluorescent probe, SPI, has been designed and synthesized for the real-time detection of dynamic changes of zinc ions (Zn) in the potential resistance to oxidative stress, showing fluorescence enhancement at approximately 639 nm with a limit of detection of around 65 pM, which allowed it to identify even low concentrations of Zn with intrinsic excellent biocompatibility. By establishing a cellular inflammation and apoptosis model using HT-DNA, hydrogen peroxide (HO), and dexamethasone (DXMS), the study effectively simulates conditions that can alter Zn dynamics. Monitoring the fluorescence changes of SPI in response to these conditions allows researchers to observe how Zn levels fluctuate in real-time, providing a clearer picture of its role in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. The findings indicate that SPI can be instrumental in elucidating the detailed molecular mechanisms through which Zn influences immune responses and associates with cellular stress pathways. Overall, the development of SPI not only replenishes a potential assay into the toolbox to study Zn in living cells but also opens new avenues for the further investigations into the therapeutic potential of modulating zinc levels in various pathological conditions.