U.S. scientists created nanoparticles able to adhere to the inner walls of an artery and release drugs to heal the damaged tissue.
The advance, say researchers in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), could become an alternative to the currently used stents in patients with cardiovascular disease. The compounds, called nanoburrs, are covered with small protein fragments that adhere only to the damaged cells in the walls of blood vessels. Once they reach their goal can release medicine slowly in the right place for several days.
Targeted therapy:
Atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries supplying the heart, can lead to a blockage that can trigger heart attacks. To treat this disease specialists use a small “balloon” is inserted into the vessel to open and to place a tube called a stent to keep it open. This process often causes a rapid growth of tissue around the stent that can lead to a new artery blockage. To avoid this problem we have developed a new type of stent that releases medication for several days after insertion.
The new approach, however, offers an alternative to these drugs are released in the right place without harming healthy tissue. The nanoburrs-created by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Medical School, are covered with proteins that adhere only to a structure in the blood vessel wall called the basement membrane.
This membrane is exposed only when the wall of the artery is damaged, so the medicine can only reach the damaged sections of glass. Once in place is carried out a reaction that releases the drug over a prolonged period, up to 12 days.
More studies:
As stated by Professor Robert Langer, one of the authors of the study, “This is an exciting example of nanotechnology and cellular therapies directed and I hope you have great ramifications.” Scientists hope that nanoparticles can be used in addition to vascular stents, or in lieu of a stent in areas where they can not stand.
It adds that this technology could be used to treat any disease where the cell walls from being damaged, including certain cancers and other inflammatory diseases. Experts say, however, that although the technology is “promising” more research is still needed before it can be used in patients.
“This is an interesting proof of concept,” said Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation. “For a long time have been seeking ways to address a particular drug to a specific part of the body.” “This technology can not replace the need to use a balloon and a stent to open an artery, but it is possible that one day they can use to bring a drug to cure atherosclerosis,” said the expert.
