Scientists from MIPT, together with their Canadian colleagues, have developed injectable preparations based on nanoparticles that could be an alternative to joint replacement surgeries. The institute explained that such drugs are produced from biocompatible and accessible reagents and are intended for the treatment of osteoarthritis, a chronic disease affecting the joints. According to statistics, more than 800 million people worldwide suffer from this disease.
Currently, osteoarthritis treatment includes sodium hyaluronate injections, which replace joint lubrication, but its effect is short-lived. The drug developed from nanoparticles stays in the joints much longer thanks to special conjugates containing carbon quantum dots and phytoglycogen. According to Sofia Morozova, head of the MIPT laboratory, these particles reduce the friction of joint surfaces and bind to cartilage due to electrostatic forces, and their shine makes it possible to monitor the movement of the drug in the body.
The effectiveness of the new drug was tested on laboratory mice. It was revealed that the conjugates were retained in the joint for up to 13 days, while sodium hyaluronate was eliminated on the 4th day. Scientists hope that in the future, such injections could replace surgical joint replacement and offer patients a less traumatic and long-lasting solution.
Source: Ferra
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