Integrated SRS and fluorescence imaging for study of thermogenesis and lipid metabolism in vivo

In this work, we developed a label-free imaging and spectroscopy method to assess the metabolism and thermogenesis of mouse adipose tissues in vivo. An optical redox ratio based on the endogenous fluorescence of mitochondrial coenzymes was used as a biomarker to determine the metabolic state of adipocytes during thermogenesis. The morphological and functional characteristics of different types of adipocytes were assessed in vivo and their thermogenic activities were monitored in real time with a robust spectroscope system.