Researchers on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed a synthetic metal-based nanozyme that may probably be used to clamp down on irregular blood clotting brought on by circumstances like pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).
According to IISc., beneath regular circumstances, when a blood vessel is injured, specialised blood cells known as platelets get activated, and cluster collectively across the vessel to type protecting blood clots.
This course of, often known as the blood clotting cascade (haemostasis), entails a fancy sequence of protein interactions triggered by alerts from physiological agonists (chemical substances), comparable to collagen and thrombin.
However, when these alerts go haywire in circumstances like PTE or ailments like COVID-19, oxidative stress and ranges of poisonous Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) enhance, resulting in over-activation of platelets. This triggers the formation of excess clots within the blood vessel, contributing to thrombosis, a significant reason behind morbidity and mortality.
To deal with this problem, researchers led by G. Mugesh, professor within the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, have developed nanomaterials that mimic the exercise of pure antioxidant enzymes, which scavenge reactive oxidative molecules.
These nanozymes work by controlling ROS ranges, thereby stopping the over-activation of platelets that results in excess clot formation or thrombosis.
The group synthesised redox energetic nanomaterials of various sizes, shapes, and morphologies through a sequence of managed chemical reactions ranging from small constructing blocks. They then remoted platelets from human blood, activated them utilizing physiological agonists, and examined how successfully the totally different nanozymes may stop excess platelet aggregation.
The group discovered that spherical-shaped vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanozymes have been essentially the most environment friendly. These supplies mimic a pure antioxidant enzyme known as glutathione peroxidase to scale back oxidative stress.
“The unique chemistry of the vanadium metal is crucial because the redox reactions that reduce ROS levels are happening on the surface of the vanadium nanomaterial,” stated Prof. Mugesh.
The group injected the nanozyme in a mouse mannequin of PTE. They discovered that it considerably diminished thrombosis and elevated the animals’ survival charges. They additionally noticed the load, behaviour, and blood parameters of the animal for as much as 5 days after injecting the nanozyme, and didn’t discover any poisonous results.
The group now plans to discover the efficacy of the nanozyme in stopping ischemic stroke, which can also be brought on by clogging of blood vessels.
“We are hopeful about clinical studies in humans because we have done our experiments with human platelets, and they worked,” stated Prof. Mugesh.
Published – June 03, 2025 02:43 pm IST
