US: Nanoparticles deliver spinal cord and brain medicines

Researchers from Purdue University in Indiana have developed a method of manipulating nanoparticles to better deliver medicines to treat damaged brain and spinal cord cells. They used nanotechnology manufacturing techniques to coat silica nanoparticles with a polymer - polyethylene glycol - and hydralazine, then targeted them at injured spinal guinea pig cells in tests.

Researcher Richard Borgens, from the university's Welden school of biomedical engineering, said: "These particles are so tiny they can't be seen with a regular microscope. They are about the size of a large virus so you can inject as many as you need. And they are safe inside bodies."

His team also tried an alternative delivery method by adding the polymer and hydralazine (an anti-hypertension drug) to mesoporous silica nanoparticles. These have pores that can hold active ingredients, delaying their release to damaged cells. Hydralazine is useful because it is an antidote to acrolein, a natural toxin released by injured cells.

monica.dobie@uwn-news.com