摘要
During tissue infection, immune cells undergo glycolysis, generating lactate that intensifies inflammation and contributes to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. TiO 2 serves as a photocatalyst capable of splitting water and producing H 2 when activated by UV light. The study proposes the clinical application of TiO 2 to combat tissue inflammation, building upon the antioxidative properties of H 2 . To address the limited tissue penetration depth of UV light, a TiO 2 -based photocatalytic H 2 production system is developed, utilizing upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) coated with a double-shell structure of SiO 2 and TiO 2 (UST NPs). The efficiency of the UST NPs relies on the utilization of tissue-penetrating near-infrared (NIR) light, which is converted to UV light by the UCNP core. Additionally, the SiO 2 @TiO 2 double-shell enhances light absorbance efficiency and photocatalytic activity. When exposed to NIR light, the UST NPs have the potential to effectively enhance H 2 production by utilizing lactate as a sacrificial agent in inflamed tissues, while also facilitating the photocatalytic water splitting process. Consequently, UST NPs + NIR efficiently deplete accumulated lactate in inflamed tissues, reducing inflammation by utilizing the produced H 2 to scavenge ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The study explores the innovative application of TiO 2 -based materials as a photocatalyst, providing fresh perspectives on enhancing H 2 production efficiency through the utilization of UCNPs, NIR light, and glycolysis-generated waste (lactate) in inflammation, and examining its relevance in the medical field.