In vivo multiphoton imaging and quantification of cytoplasmic and nuclear metabolism in the hepatobiliary system

Abstract

Liver performs xenobiotic excretion out of hepatocytes with metabolic function. However, hepatocellular metabolism was non-uniform in hepatocyte. Hepatocellular metabolism could be different in nucleus and cytoplasm. In this study, we use the molecular probe 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (6-CFDA) to simulate xenobiotic metabolism in hepatocytes with multi-photon fluorescence microscopy in vivo. 6-CFDA was processed by intracellular esterase to 6- carboxyfluorescein (6-CF) with green fluorescence. And this probe was used to study differences in cytoplasmic and nuclear metabolism of hepatocytes.