Recent advances in nanomaterials for the treatment of spinal cord injury

Materials Today Bio, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100524 · Published: January 1, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are devastating, leading to permanent loss of nerve function and paralysis. Current clinical treatments have limitations, and nanomaterials offer new hope for SCI treatment by improving the microenvironment, promoting neuron regeneration, and optimizing drug effects. Nanomaterials can cross the blood‒spinal cord barrier (BSCB) and accumulate in the lesion area, enhancing drug bioavailability and therapeutic capabilities. They can inhibit adverse changes in the microenvironment and potentially reverse their development. This review focuses on different types of nanomaterials, including inorganic, organic, and bioderived NPs, and summarizes their functions and advantages for future clinical therapies.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Functional nanomaterials, ranging from 1 to 1000 nm, are categorized into inorganic, organic, and bioderived NPs, each with unique design and structural composition.
2
Nanomaterials affect SCI pathology through neuroprotective or neuroregenerative therapeutic properties, including direct nerve cell protection, indirect microenvironment improvement, and neural regeneration facilitation.
3
Nanomaterials act as efficient vectors for SCI delivery, reaching the damaged area through the disruption of the BSCB and active directional delivery using targeting groups.

Research Summary

This review explores the current use of functional nanomaterials for SCI treatment, categorizing them into inorganic, organic, and bioderived NPs based on their source composition. It examines the design, structural composition, and therapeutic properties of these NPs in the pathological mechanism of secondary injury and their transport effects as nanovectors. The aim is to provide comprehensive information for understanding the research status of NPs in SCI treatment and to advance new ideas for further study of pathological mechanisms and clinical solutions.

Practical Implications

Enhanced Drug Delivery

Nanomaterials improve drug bioavailability by crossing the blood-spinal cord barrier, allowing for targeted drug delivery to the lesion site.

Neuroprotection and Regeneration

Nanomaterials offer neuroprotective and neuroregenerative therapeutic properties, including direct nerve cell protection and facilitation of neural regeneration.

Clinical Translation Potential

Organic NPs, such as PEG and PLGA, show the greatest possibility for clinical translation due to their biocompatibility and controllable physicochemical properties.

Study Limitations

1
Biosafety of inorganic NPs in vivo applications needs further extensive studies.
2
Most current studies on organic NPs are repetitive and seek to improve drug bioavailability through systematic passive targeting delivery.
3
Bioderived NPs, such as exosomes, have complex internal components that may bring nontherapeutic substances into the injured site.

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