Imaging of sodium fluorescein and albumin-fluorescein isothiocyanate in biological tissue using fluorescence probe spectroscopy technique / Mohd Shahiri Abd Ghapar

Patients often prefer oral drug delivery as it is the most convenient and the safest route of administration. Question on whether or not the drug consumed might be able to reach to the intended site of action and is absorbed optimally for its therapeutic effectiveness has resulted in the development of imaging technique. Since few decades ago, there were several methods developed with the aim to image drug and other biological compounds within the body. However, these methods were relatively ineffective with regards to cost, requiring skilled personnel and knowledge, time consuming and involving complex process. This led the study to investigate the potential of fluorescence probe spectroscopy technique to image drug absorption in gastrointestinal tract. The technique was able to detect the presence of fluorescence marker solution on gastrointestinal tissue and subsequently quantify its presence. The relative fluorescence irradiation intensity varied directly with the concentration of fluorescence marker. Its spectrum was influenced by the anatomical attributes of gastrointestinal tract.