New treatment for major bleeding injuries uses nanoparticles
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.028057
BBC : Erin Lavik of Case Western Reserve University and his colleagues have created nanoscopic spheres covered in thin protein chains to increase blood’s natural clotting ability. The protein chains bind with platelets, the cells responsible for clotting, and accelerate the speed at which clots form. Lavik’s team found that the particles increased the survival rate of injured mice from 60% to 90%. Although products exist for treating injuries that produce major bleeding, they require refrigeration and have shelf lives of just a few days. The new nanoparticles can be stored for weeks as a powder and are turned into a solution simply by mixing with saltwater or sugar water. The particles will be tested on larger animals before they are tried in humans.
