via Phys.org
Heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although modern surgical techniques, diagnostics and medications have greatly improved early survival from these events, many patients struggle with the long-term effects of permanently damaged tissue, and the 5-year mortality rate remains high.
Now, researchers reporting in ACS Nano have developed a minimally invasive exosome spray that helped repair rat hearts after myocardial infarction.
Scientists have explored using stem cell therapy as a way to regrow tissue after a heart attack. But introducing stem cells directly to the heart can be risky because they could trigger an immune response or grow uncontrollably, resulting in a tumor. Therefore, researchers have tried injecting exosomes –– membrane-bound sacs containing proteins, lipids and nucleic acids secreted by stem cells –– into the heart, but they often break down before they can have therapeutic effects. Others have developed cardiac patches, or scaffolds that help implanted exosomes last longer, but they usually must be placed on the heart during open-chest surgery. Yafeng Zhou and colleagues wanted to develop an exosome solution that could be sprayed onto the heart through a tiny incision, avoiding major surgery.
The researchers mixed exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells with fibrinogen, a protein involved in blood clotting. They added this solution to a tiny, double-barreled syringe that contained a separate solution of another clotting protein called thrombin. When the team sprayed the solutions out of the syringe onto a rat’s heart through a small chest incision, the liquids mixed and formed an exosome-containing gel that stuck to the heart. A mini-endoscope, inserted through a second small incision, guided the spray needle. In rats that had recently had a heart attack, the exosome spray lasted longer, healed injuries better and boosted the expression of beneficial proteins more than heart-injected exosomes. In pigs, the spray caused less severe immune reactions and surgical stress than open-chest surgery. The spray is a promising strategy to deliver therapeutic exosomes for heart repair, the researchers say.
Original Article: New spray could someday help heal damage after a heart attack
More from: American Chemical Society
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Exosome spray to repair hearts
- Reverse aging with topical exosomes
If you are serious about eternally looking young, Dr. Eloisa Tulayba suggests adding exosomes to your daily anti-aging regimen. Exosomes act like messengers that pass vital information to other cells.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Exosome spray to repair hearts
[google_news title=”” keyword=”exosome spray to repair hearts” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Heart attack treatment
- Trump aims his ire at spouses, children of judges at heart of legal troubles
In the throes of former President Trump’s civil fraud trial last fall, he made a plea to the judge overseeing the case: “Leave my children alone.” Trump’s adult sons, Donald Jr. and ...
- Poisoning or heart attack? Controversy surrounds Mukhtar Ansari's death
Before Mukhtar Ansari's death, his brother Afzal Ansari publicly claimed that Mukhtar was being poisoned in jail as part of a 'conspiracy' to murder him ...
- How Does Air Pollution Affect The Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke? A Review By Doctors
Expert opinion from Dr. Himanshu J. Vats Doctor of Medicine (MBBS) · 1.5 years of experience · India Air pollution can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in a number of ways. Air pollution ...
- Zoo’s beloved orangutan dies following battle with heart disease
LOUISVILLE, Ky. ( WAVE /Gray News) - The Louisville Zoo shared the sad news that their beloved orangutan, Teak was humanely euthanized following a multi-year battle with heart disease.
- BREAKING NEWS: Gangster-Turned Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies During Treatment At UP's Banda Medical College
Gangster-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari died during treatment at Banda Medical College on Thursday night. Mukhtar Ansari suffered heart attack inside the Banda jail, after which he was rushed to the ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Heart attack treatment
[google_news title=”” keyword=”heart attack treatment” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]