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Researchers from the Institut national de la recherche Scientifique (INRS) have shown that nanoparticles could be used to deliver drugs to the brain to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
The blood-brain barrier is the main obstacle in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. According to a recent study by Jean-Michel Rabanel, postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of Professor Charles Ramassamy, nanoparticles with specific properties could cross this barrier and be captured by neuronal cells. The researchers are confident that these findings will open important prospects for delivering drugs directly into the brain. This groundbreaking discovery would enable better treatment for neurodegenerative diseases affecting more than 565,000 Canadians, including 141,000 from Quebec.
“The blood-brain barrier filters harmful substances to prevent them from freely reaching the brain. But this same barrier also blocks the passage of drugs,” explains pharmacologist Charles Ramassamy. Typically, large doses are needed to get a small amount of the drug into the brain. What remains in the bloodstream has significant side effects. Often, this discomfort leads the patient to discontinue treatment. ‘Using nanoparticles, which encapsulate drugs, would result in fewer side effects by increasing brain efficiency.’
Efficient on an animal model
To demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, the research team first tested it on cultured cells, then on zebrafish. “This species offers several advantages. Its blood-brain barrier is similar to that of humans and its transparent skin makes it possible to see the distribution of nanoparticles in near real time,” says Professor Ramassamy, Chair of the Louise Research Chair and André Charron on Alzheimer’s disease, from the Armand-Frappier Foundation.
Using in vivo tests, the researchers were able to observe the crossing of the blood-brain barrier. They also confirmed the absence of toxicity in the selected nanoparticle library. “We made the particles with polylactic acid (PLA), a biocompatible material that is easily eliminated from the body. A layer of polyethylene glycol (PEG) covers these nanoparticles and makes them invisible to the immune system, so they can circulate longer in the stream. sanguine, “he explains. After several years of research on effective and safe nanoparticles, the research team will continue laboratory tests, aiming at the delivery of active ingredients to other animal models with final clinical applications.
Reference: Rabanel JM, Piec PA, Landri S, Patten SA, Ramassamy C. Transport of PEGylated-PLA nanoparticles through a blood brain barrier model, entry into neuronal cells and brain bioavailability in vivo. J Control Release. 2020; 328,679-695. doi: 10.1016 / j.jconrel.2020.09.042
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