Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, both in the United States, have found that nanoparticles can be used to improve survival after life-threatening blood loss. The researchers infused nanoparticles containing nitric oxide (NO) into the bloodstream of hamsters, where they helped maintain blood circulation and protect vital organs. This new nanomedicine was developed to address the need for better field treatments for cases of massive blood loss, which are best treated with infusions of allogeneic blood and other fluids – treatments that are limited to emergency rooms or trauma centers. Joel Friedman, professor of physiology and medicine at Einstein, and a coauthor of the paper, said, “It is highly impractical to pack these supplies for use in rural emergencies, mass-casualty disasters or on the battlefield. Our nanoparticle therapy may offer the potential for saving lives in those situations. It’s lightweight and compact and doesn’t require refrigeration.” The new therapy works by increasing the body’s levels of NO gas, which helps relax blood vessels and regulate blood pressure, countering the effects of hemorrhagic shock. According to coauthor Pedro Cabrales, a professor in the department of bioengineering at UCSD, “The NO gas slows the fight-or-flight response to severe bleeding that restricts blood flow, causing hemorrhagic shock irreversibility. This is a significant step to establish the basis for new treatments for hemorrhagic shock; increasing the odds of survival when fluid resuscitation or definitive interventions are not available.” The article can be viewed online at the link below.
http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/science/03-01NanoparticlesIncrease.asp