Thousands of people lose their life as a result of internal bleeding each year. The data collected since 1997 showed that 1 in 13 people die who were diagnosed with internal bleeding. The number increased to 1 in 5 for those who were taking the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or aspirin. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the reason for almost 20,000 deaths annually in the US. This condition is one of those which are extremely painful and difficult-to-treat and have a very high risk of fatality. However, scientists from ITMO University, Russia, are anticipating to improve the outcomes for the internal bleeding patients using nanoparticles.
According to the research team, using magnetically-driven nanoparticles which contain the clotting promoter thrombin, they can stop the internal bleeding effectively. The research shows how a drug which was created using the nanoparticles can be injected directly to the point of injury. When it is injected into a simulated blood vessel, the drug speeds up the local clot formation by 6.5 times and reduced the blood loss by 15 times, which is very effective. These particles contain a core of thrombin, an enzyme that triggers blood clot formation.
Researchers wrapped the enzymes in a porous matrix of magnetite, which is the second main ingredient. This allows the nanoparticles in the body to be moved precisely with an external magnetic field. Doctors can also move the particles around using a magnet and can set them to the point where the injury has occurred. However, no matter how much use these nanoparticles are in reducing the deaths from internal bleeding, their production is very difficult at the same time.
Vladimir Vinogradov, the laboratory head said in a press release, “Synthesizing these nanoparticles is not easy. It is important to keep their size down to 200 nanometers; otherwise, they will not be suitable for injection. In addition, mild synthesis conditions are required so that the thrombin molecule does not break down and lose its activity completely. Finally, we could only use bio-compatible components.” Since this drug is bio-compatible, the researchers did not specify how they are intending to remove the nanoparticles. It is said that it is safe to leave them inside the body for a prolonged period of time. There are more research and work required to be done on this since it is unclear how long it will take until this treatment can be made available to the patients.