A novel fluorescent probe targets pancreatic juice for surgical use

Researchers identified a pancreatic juice-specific fluorescent probe, selectively targeting ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (enpp) 1, from a library of 411 enzyme-activatable fluorescent probes. The probe demonstrated high reactivity with pancreatic juice, providing the potential for visualizing pancreatic juice leakage during surgery. This advancement may assist surgeons in addressing leaking sites and evaluating the need for prophylactic abdominal drains, although further investigation into enpp1’s role in pancreatic juice is warranted.