Nanoparticle Injection Could Reduce Lung Damage in Soldiers

Research presented recently in the journal “ACS Macro Letters” shows that soldiers who suffer internal trauma from explosions may eventually be able to reap the benefits of a new treatment being developed. The report states that when rats that experienced such trauma were injected with a certain type of nanoparticle their lung damage was reduced.

As quoted in the market news:

Pamela J. VandeVord, Erin B. Lavik and colleagues explain that in today’s conflict zones, explosions account for 79 percent of combat-related injuries. Internal bleeding in the lungs resulting from these blasts can lead to death. Soldiers with such injuries need medical attention within a few hours, but options for immediate treatment are lacking. VandeVord’s team set out to fill this therapeutic void.

Building on past research in this area, the researchers paired clot-promoting nanoparticles with a corticosteroid that stops inflammation. They injected the particles in rats within 10 minutes of traumatic injury and found the therapeutic compound increased oxygen levels, and reduced internal bleeding and cellular damage in the lungs. The researchers conclude that the nanoparticles could be a good candidate to develop further for emergency trauma care.

Click here to read a press release on the study.
Click here to view the study in “ACS Macro Letters.”