New microscopic particles – less than a thousandth of a millimetre in size – could hold the key to preventing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and ischaemic stroke.
Researchers from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) have developed a nanoparticle that can diagnose the build-up of plaque in the arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis, as well as target atherosclerotic plaques and deliver therapeutic agents.
A nanoparticle is a material with a diameter of between one and 100 nanometres, which is one-billionth of a metre.
These new nanoparticles break down in the acidic environment of atherosclerotic plaques and release gadolinium – a chemical that acts as a contrast agent, improving visualisation for magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI – allowing for real-time imaging of plaque severity.
Additionally, these miniscule particles are able to simultaneously deliver simvastatin, an anti-inflammatory drug that contributes to plaque stabilisation and treatment, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
The findings were published in nanoscience journal Small in August.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 11, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 11, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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