Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI), a prevalent and complex clinical condition associated with elevated risks of morbidity and mortality, necessitates the meticulous detection and monitoring of kidney damage globally. Biomedicine has shown keen interest in molecular probes and detectors for AKI due to their sensitivity, rapidity, and cost-effectiveness. Bioimaging technologies play a significant role in identifying and quantifying AKI indicators, enhancing diagnostic approaches, and potentially refining clinical therapies for immediate injury control. Molecular probes serve as valuable tools for drug screening, uncovering renoprotective components, signaling pathways, and the nephrotoxic effects of drugs. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advancements in molecular probes, emphasizing their exceptional efficacy in various characteristics, including renal cleanability, multichannel detection capability, near-infrared-II responsiveness, and reactivity toward reactive oxygen species. These probes offer enhanced benefits for assessing kidney damage and evaluating the therapeutic effects of medications while simultaneously reducing toxic effects. Additionally, the review delves into future potentials and challenges in this field, aiming to inspire the development and enhancement of molecular bioimaging for the early diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.