Fourni par Blogger.

By Danielle Galloway


Medical science is constantly evolving. Through the years, it continues to look for solutions and treatments for various medical diseases. One of the remarkable discoveries that science stumbled into is the liposome. This is a recent breakthrough that is believed to be potent in treating many medical malfunctions. It is also used to help administer drugs more efficiently and increase the success rate of organ transplant among other functions.

The liposomes are tiny, microscopic vesicles which are produced and developed in laboratories. These are made of phospholipids, which are extracted from other sources or produced by natural means. The outer wall of the vesicles has similar composition as a cell wall. Hence, it can interact with the cells directly. These tiny, sphere-shaped bubbles typically have watery core.

The most common use of this structure is to introduce medicines to the patient's body more effectively. The unique property of the vesicles allow drugs to be delivered in specific parts of the body through diffusion. With its double-layered membranes, the vesicle can carry hydrophobic drugs. This can also be used to carry biological agents like antibodies to targeted parts in the patient's body.

Furthermore, this helps extend the transfer time of the medicines. The double-layered spheres slowly transmits the drugs in interval for a period of time so the body can take it in gradually. This and the ability to direct its target make this a perfect choice in reducing the medicines' side-effects and enhance its potency.

The vesicles are also believed to be an effective cancer fighting agent. The spheroids can mark the cancer cells. It can also slip right to the tumor by going through the blood flow. This stays in the bloodstreams as well because of its miniature size and its property that is similar to the blood vessels. The drug vessels cannot pass through the endothelial wall as opposed to cancer cells, which are naturally leaky.

This can also help fight autoimmune diseases. In most transplant surgeries, the body initially identifies the newly transplanted organ as a foreign object. As a result, the immune system will try to attack it as the body's natural reaction to protect itself from infestation. This can lead to the body's rejection of the harvested organ. The artificial lipid can help suppress the immune system to slow down its progression.

The drug vesicles are not spontaneously produced, though. There are several artificial methods used in producing the spheroids depending on its use and function. The production methods and structure must be determined beforehand. One aspect to consider is the method of dissemination as well as the type of material that it carries.

These vesicles come in various sizes. The vessels are typically small for the white blood cells to easily engulf the bubbles before the drug it carries can be released. Prior to its production, the size and numbers of vesicles to be created have to be determined. Possibilities of reproduction must also be anticipated.

One reservation for medical practitioners regarding this extremely useful breakthrough is its production costs. Mass production is currently unavailable since the vessels cannot last long after its creation. There has been cases of instability and unintentional mixture of drugs as well. Other than that, liposome is definitely a promising discovery.




About the Author: