Nanotechnology Helps Cardiovascular Ills

U.S. laboratory studies suggest nanotechnology might become a major soldier in the fight against cardiovascular disease.

Rutgers University scientists say the use of nanoengineered molecules called nanolipoblockers might be useful in fighting harmful cholesterol levels.

In a study available at the American Chemical Society’s Web site, Rutgers researchers propose combating clogged arteries by attacking how bad cholesterol triggers inflammation and causes plaque buildup at specific blood vessel sites. Their approach contrasts with statin drug therapy, which aims to reduce the amount of low-density lipids throughout the body.

Principal investigator Prabhas Moghe, an associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, is working with Professor Kathryn Uhrich, who is an expert at synthesizing biologically useful molecules at the nanoscale.

The research team — including graduate student Evangelia Chnari and synthetic chemists Lu Tian and Jinzhong Wang — has designed a family of nanolipoblockers, or NLBs, which compete with oxidized low-density lipids for a macrophage’s, or white blood cell’s, attention. The NLBs bind to receptor sites on macrophages, cutting the accumulation of oxidized LDL by as much as 75 percent.

The research will be detailed in the June 12 issue of the journal Biomacromolecules.