The two main proponents for atherosclerotic plaque and inflammation is an increase in cholesterol and macrophage presence in the arteries. Researchers at KAIST discuss that there designed physicochemical cargo-switching nanoparticles (CSNP) can address these issues.
What is atherosclerosis? A chronic inflammatory condition that targets the vasculature and characterized by the cholesterol and macrophage accumulation forming plaques in the arteries. If the atherosclerosis condition worsens, it may lead to heart attacks and strokes and potentially death.
Using the CSNP therapy, two drugs can be delivered at the same time. These drugs, cyclodextrin and statin, were proven to promote cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative functions. The therapeutic partnership of cyclodextrin and statin resolves the inflammatory environment of atherosclerosis.
"While nanomedicine has been mainly developed for the treatment of cancers, our studies show that nanomedicine can also play a significant role in treating and preventing atherosclerosis, which causes various cardiovascular diseases that are the leading causes of death worldwide, adds Professor Ji-Ho Park from KAIST’s Department of Bio and Brain Engineering.
Source: Science Daily