Biodistribution of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in Mice Atherosclerotic Model

Oral Nanoformulations in Cardiovascular Medicine: Advances in Atherosclerosis Treatment

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the arteries, causing them to narrow. If this occurs in the coronary arteries, the blood vessels may be completely blocked, resulting in myocardial infarction; if it occurs in the blood vessels of the brain, the blood vessels may be blocked, resulting in cerebral infarction, i.e., stroke. Studies have shown that the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves the processes of inflammation, lipid infiltration, oxidative stress, and endothelial damage, etc. SIRT, as a key factor regulating the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging, has an important impact on the pathogenesis of plaque formation, progression, and vulnerability. Statistics show that AS accounts for about 50 per cent of deaths in Western countries. Currently, oral medication is the mainstay of AS treatment, but its development is limited by side effects, low bioavailability and other unfavourable factors. In recent years, with the rapid development of nano-preparations, researchers have combined statins and natural product drugs within nanopreparations to improve their bioavailability. Based on this, this paper summarises the main pathogenesis of AS and also proposes new oral nanoformulations such as liposomes, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and nanocapsules to improve their application in the treatment of AS.

Integrating Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents into Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: An Industrial Look

The industries are searching for greener alternatives for their productions due to the rising concern about the environment and creation of waste and by-products without industrial utility for that specific line of products. This investigation describes the development of two stable nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs): one is the formulation of a standard NLC, and the other one is the same NLC formulation associated with a natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES). The research presents the formulation paths of the NLCs through completeness, which encompass dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential tests, and pH. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy were performed to clarify the morphology. Cytotoxicity tests with zebrafish were realized, and the results are complementary to the in vitro outcomes reached with fibroblast L132 tests by the MTT technique and the zymography test. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry tests elucidated the link between the physicochemical characteristics of the formulation and its behavior and properties. Different cooling techniques were explored to prove the tailorable properties of the NLCs for any industrial applications. In conclusion, the compiled results show the successful formulation of new nanocarriers based on a sustainable, eco-friendly, and highly tailorable technology, which presents low cytotoxic potential.

Targeted delivery of LXR-agonists to atherosclerotic lesions mediated by polydiacetylene micelles

We report the development of compact and stabilized micelles incorporating a synthetic LXR agonist prodrug for the passive targeting of atherosclerotic lesions and therapeutic intervention. In vivo studies showed that the nanohybrid micelles exhibited favorable pharmacokinetics/biodistribution and were able to upregulate, to some extent, LXR target genes with no alteration of lipid metabolism.

Nanotechnology for cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases have become the major killers in today's world, among which coronary artery diseases (CADs) make the greatest contributions to morbidity and mortality. Although state-of-the-art technologies have increased our knowledge of the cardiovascular system, the current diagnosis and treatment modalities for CADs still have limitations. As an emerging cross-disciplinary approach, nanotechnology has shown great potential for clinical use. In this review, recent advances in nanotechnology in the diagnosis of CADs will first be elucidated. Both the sensitivity and specificity of biosensors for biomarker detection and molecular imaging strategies, such as magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging, nuclear scintigraphy, and multimodal imaging strategies, have been greatly increased with the assistance of nanomaterials. Second, various nanomaterials, such as liposomes, polymers (PLGA), inorganic nanoparticles (AuNPs, MnO2, etc.), natural nanoparticles (HDL, HA), and biomimetic nanoparticles (cell-membrane coating) will be discussed as engineered as drug (chemicals, proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids) carriers targeting pathological sites based on their optimal physicochemical properties and surface modification potential. Finally, some of these nanomaterials themselves are regarded as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of atherosclerosis because of their intrinsic antioxidative/anti-inflammatory and photoelectric/photothermal characteristics in a complex plaque microenvironment. In summary, novel nanotechnology-based research in the process of clinical transformation could continue to expand the horizon of nanoscale technologies in the diagnosis and therapy of CADs in the foreseeable future.

EGFP-EGF1-conjugated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles as a carrier for the delivery of CCR2- shRNA to atherosclerotic macrophage in vitro

Reducing macrophage recruitment by silencing chemokine (C–C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) expression is a promising therapeutic approach against atherosclerosis. However the transfection of macrophages with siRNA is often technically challenging. EGFP-EGF1-conjugated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (ENPs) have a specific affinity to tissue factor (TF). In this study, the feasibility of ENPs as a carrier for target delivery of CCR2-shRNA to atherosclerotic cellular models of macrophages was investigated. Coumarin-6 loaded ENPs were synthesized using a double-emulsion method. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry assay were taken to examine the uptake of Coumarin-6 loaded ENPs in the cellular model. Then a sequence of shRNA specific to CCR2 mRNA was constructed and encapsulated into ENPs. Target delivery of CCR2-shRNA to atherosclerotic cellular models of macrophages in vitro were evaluated. Results showed more uptake of ENPs by the cellular model than common PLGA nanoparticles. CCR2-shRNA loaded ENPs effectively silenced CCR2 gene in the atherosclerotic macrophages and exhibited a favorable cytotoxic profile to cultured cells. With their low cytotoxicity and efficient drug delivery, ENP could be a useful carrier for target delivery of CCR2-shRNA to inflammatory monocytes/macrophages for the therapy against atherosclerosis.