Nanozyme-based dual-signal sensing system for colorimetric and photothermal detection of AChE activity in the blood of liver-injured mice

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a crucial enzyme related to liver function, is involved in numerous physiological processes such as neurotransmission and muscular contraction. The currently reported techniques for detecting AChE mainly rely on a single signal output, limiting their high-accuracy quantification. The few reported dual-signal assays are challenging to implement in dual-signal point-of-care testing (POCT) because of the need for large instruments, costly modifications, and trained operators. Herein, we report a colorimetric and photothermal dual-signal POCT sensing platform based on CeO2-TMB (3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine) for the visualization of AChE activity in liver-injured mice. The method compensates for the false positives of a single signal and realizes the rapid, low-cost portable detection of AChE. More importantly, the CeO2-TMB sensing platform enables the diagnosis of liver injury and provides an effective tool for studying liver disease in basic medicine and clinical applications.

Automated summary

In this study, a colorimetric and photothermal dual-signal point-of-care testing (POCT) sensing platform based on CeO2-TMB was developed for visualizing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in liver-injured mice. This method compensates for false positives of single signal detection, enabling rapid, low-cost portable detection of AChE. Furthermore, the CeO2-TMB sensing platform allows for the diagnosis of liver injury and provides an effective tool for studying liver disease in basic medicine and clinical applications.