Design of micro, nanoparticles to improve treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
Source:
University of the Basque Country
Summary:
Techniques are being
developed to deliver correctly and effectively certain drugs to treat
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Both disorders affect the neurones: their
structure and function is lost, and this in turn leads to the
deterioration in the patient's motor, cognitive, sensory and emotional
functions.
Enara
Herran, a researcher at the UPV/EHU's Department of Pharmacy and
Pharmaceutical Technology, is working to improve the way Alzheimer's and
Parkinson's treatments are administered. And it is a fact that, as
Herran herself stressed, "both diseases are becoming more and more
common in our society." Both disorders affect the neurons: their
structure and function is lost, and this in turn leads to the
deterioration in the patient's motor, cognitive, sensory and emotional
functions. As Herran pointed out, in many cases the drugs used to treat
both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's only mitigate the symptoms; they do not
act on the origin of the disease. "The treatment is usually on the
basis of tablets taken by mouth."
But drugs of this type are not the only ones used to tackle both
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Some drugs prevent neuron loss and help new
ones to form; growth factors, for example. "In any case, they are not
used so much because there is no effective, safe way of delivering
them," said Herran. As the researcher explained, the drugs have to pass
through the blood-brain barrier to reach the neurons, and that is no
straightforward task. This is in fact the problem Herran is seeking to
overcome by means of her research.
"Growth factors are encapsulated so that they can be administered more effectively and more safely. In other words, they are inserted into micro and nanocapsules and implanted in the brain by means of craniotomy. That way, the drugs would be released right where they have to act, and what is more, in an ongoing way and in the correct dose," explained Herran.
The micro and nanoparticles release these growth factors within a period ranging from 2-3 months and one year until the polymer has degraded. That way the patient does not have to take the medication every day. In any case, this is not the only advantage. In experiments carried out on rats and mice the encapsulated drugs have been found to be much more effective than those taken by mouth. As Herran pointed out, "these two diseases are already a problem for public health, and the scientific community is making a great effort in the quest for and in advances in new treatments."
Heading in the right direction
As Herran explained, in experiments conducted on animals they have tested two factors -- the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) -- encapsulated in a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer -- poly (lactic co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) -- . "We obtained micro and nanoparticles using various encapsulation techniques. Initially, we did the tests for Parkinson's; first in cell cultures and then on mice. We got good results in both trials." Herran stressed that the mice treated with particles improved considerably: "A great improvement was noted in comparison with the control group in terms of behaviour as well as the healing of the damaged zones."
After that, they carried out the test for Alzheimer's in mice. Herran said that in this case they also achieved good results: "Three months after having carried out the procedure, the mice treated had good memories; similar to those of healthy mice. Through a histological analysis we found that the beta-amyloid plaques that develop in Alzheimer's had diminished considerably and so had the inflammation, and that angiogenesis had intensified."
The results and conclusions of these experiments have been publicized in specialized publications including the Journal of Controlled Release. And this is in fact the subject of her PhD thesis. Although the research has not been completed, Herran said she is now doing research into the way of obtaining "better formulations," so as not to have to implant the micro and nanoparticles in the brain. The final goal is clear: to develop the most effective, safest and most suitable way of treating Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
"Growth factors are encapsulated so that they can be administered more effectively and more safely. In other words, they are inserted into micro and nanocapsules and implanted in the brain by means of craniotomy. That way, the drugs would be released right where they have to act, and what is more, in an ongoing way and in the correct dose," explained Herran.
The micro and nanoparticles release these growth factors within a period ranging from 2-3 months and one year until the polymer has degraded. That way the patient does not have to take the medication every day. In any case, this is not the only advantage. In experiments carried out on rats and mice the encapsulated drugs have been found to be much more effective than those taken by mouth. As Herran pointed out, "these two diseases are already a problem for public health, and the scientific community is making a great effort in the quest for and in advances in new treatments."
Heading in the right direction
As Herran explained, in experiments conducted on animals they have tested two factors -- the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) -- encapsulated in a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer -- poly (lactic co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) -- . "We obtained micro and nanoparticles using various encapsulation techniques. Initially, we did the tests for Parkinson's; first in cell cultures and then on mice. We got good results in both trials." Herran stressed that the mice treated with particles improved considerably: "A great improvement was noted in comparison with the control group in terms of behaviour as well as the healing of the damaged zones."
After that, they carried out the test for Alzheimer's in mice. Herran said that in this case they also achieved good results: "Three months after having carried out the procedure, the mice treated had good memories; similar to those of healthy mice. Through a histological analysis we found that the beta-amyloid plaques that develop in Alzheimer's had diminished considerably and so had the inflammation, and that angiogenesis had intensified."
The results and conclusions of these experiments have been publicized in specialized publications including the Journal of Controlled Release. And this is in fact the subject of her PhD thesis. Although the research has not been completed, Herran said she is now doing research into the way of obtaining "better formulations," so as not to have to implant the micro and nanoparticles in the brain. The final goal is clear: to develop the most effective, safest and most suitable way of treating Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
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