Synthesis of the carbon dots for fast fluorescently sensing deferasirox in plasma

Synthesis of the carbon dots for fast fluorescently sensing deferasirox in plasma

Currently, "quick screening" has been the focus of all testing development. For example, the virus detection of COVID-19, it is hoped to quickly understand whether a patient is infected with the disease in a quick screening method. Therefore, the rapid, timely and accurate quick screening technology has been fast developed in the diagnostic science. Therefore, this research is to develop a technology that can quickly and accurately analyze deferasirox in plasma. "Deferasirox" is commonly known as an iron excretion agent. It is often used in some diseases that require blood transfusion to eliminate the problem of excessive iron ions in the body. However, too much deferasirox will cause excessive iron ions to be eliminated and cause liver and renal toxicity. Thus, immediate monitoring of the blood concentration of deferasirox is a very important step in clinical treatment. In this research, the blood concentration of deferasirox can be easily measured on the patient just by a fluorescent spectrometer. The result can be obtained quickly, and the patient can be provided with more information. Rapid diagnosis and immediate corresponding changes can provide a diagnostic platform for the current emphasis on precision medicine.

This research is designed to use fluorescent nanoparticles, "carbon dots" (CDs) to quickly screen the blood concentration of deferasirox. CDs is a novel material in recent years, and its preparation process is more convenient than ordinary nanoparticle. Only simple substances or even coffee grounds can be used to produce fluorescent CDs. CDs are tiny carbon nanoparticles with a size range of 1-10 nanometers. They are mainly composed of carbon atoms. Therefore, they have good electrical conductivity, high chemical stability, low environmental pollution, and a wide range of light. CDs are easy to obtain and low in price, so the cost is cheaper than other kinds of nanometer materials. Due to the above characteristics, CDs have become more and more important and applicable in recent years.

The color of the liquid after the synthesis of "carbon dots", and the strong fluorescence performance of the "carbon dots" under ultraviolet light.

This research uses simple chemical raw materials (urea and citric acid) to synthesize high-fluorescence CDs by hydrothermal method, and the CDs were then coated with dopamine. When the copper ions exist, fluorescence of CDs will be largely quenched. However, in the presence of deferasirox, the quenched fluorescence can be specifically restored. The degree of fluorescence recovery is used for specific and rapid quantification of deferasirox in plasma samples. Finally, this method was also applied to patients who actually took deferasirox. The detected blood concentration of deferasirox by this method was consistent with the clinical testing results. That confirmed that this method can quickly and specifically detect deferasirox in vivo, which not only makes the detection faster and more convenient, and the rapid test results can also be used for follow-up treatment or drug evaluation. For precision medicine, it can provide a powerful test platform.

Graphical Abstract

Application and Highlights:

1. The surface-derivative CDs have high fluorescent quantum yield and can be used in various fields.

2. When this CDs is in the presence of copper ions, its fluorescence will be largely quenched. However, when deferasirox is present, its quenched fluorescence can be specifically restored.

3. By using the fluorescence recovery degree of CDs, the deferasirox in plasma can be specifically and fast quantified.

4. This method was also applied to patients who actually took deferasirox. The detected blood concentration of deferasirox by this method was consistent with the clinical testing results.

5. This method not only makes the detection faster and more convenient, but can also use the rapid detection results for follow-up treatment or medication evaluation. It can provide a powerful detection platform for precision medicine.

Research Team Members:Chun-Chi Wang, Po-Tsang Huang, Hwang- Shang Kou, Shou-Mei Wu

Representative Department:School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University

Introduction of Research Team: The team has been committed to capillary electrophoresis, pharmaceutical analysis, genetic analysis, special probe and primer design, nanoparticle synthesis and application, etc. for many years. They have developed a number of technologies for drug monitoring or genetic testing, and obtained a number of patents.

Contact Email: chunchi0716@kmu.edu.tw

Publication:Sensors & Actuators: B. Chemical, 2020, 311: 127916.

Full-Text Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925400520302641