Endogenous peroxynitrite activated fluorescent probe for revealing anti‐tuberculosis drug induced hepatotoxicity

Pyrazinamide (PZA), isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RFP) are all commonly used anti-tuberculosis drugs in clinical practice, and long-term medication may cause severe liver damage and toxicity. The level of peroxynitrite (ONOO–) generated in liver has long been regarded as a biomarker for the prediction and measurement of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). In this article, we constructed a BODIPY-based fluorescent probe (BDP-Py+) that enabled quickly and sensitively detect and image ONOO– in vivo. Utilizing this probe, we demonstrated the change of ONOO– content in cells and mice model of DILI induced by acetaminophen (APAP), and for the first time revealed the mechanism of liver injury induced by antituberculosis drug PZA. Moreover, BDP-Py+ could be applied to screen out and evaluate the hepatotoxicity of different anti-tuberculosis drugs. Comparing with the existing serum enzymes detection and H&E staining, the probe could achieve early diagnosis of DILI before solid lesions in liver via monitoring the up-regulation of ONOO– levels. Collectively, this work will promote the understanding of the pathogenesis of anti-tuberculosis drug induced liver injury (ATB-DILI), and provide a powerful tool for the early diagnosis and treatment of DILI.