New nanoparticle can diagnose, treat plaque in arteries: Study

Developed by NUS researchers, it may hold key to preventing cardiovascular diseases

- Zhaki Abdullah

New microscopic particles – less than a thousandth of a millimetre in size – could hold the key to preventing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and ischaemic stroke.

Researchers from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) have developed a nanoparticle that can diagnose the build-up of plaque in the arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis, as well as target atherosclerotic plaques and deliver therapeutic agents.

A nanoparticle is a material with a diameter of between one and 100 nanometres, which is one-billionth of a metre.

These new nanoparticles break down in the acidic environment of atherosclerotic plaques and release gadolinium – a chemical that acts as a contrast agent, improving visualisation for magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI – allowing for real-time imaging of plaque severity.

Additionally, these miniscule particles are able to simultaneously deliver simvastatin, an anti-inflammatory drug that contributes to plaque stabilisation and treatment, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.

The findings were published in nanoscience journal Small in August.