Latest news with #GMugesh
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
IISc Bengaluru develops nanozymes to prevent excess clotting
BENGALURU: A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have developed a new method which will help control abnormal blood clotting conditions, including Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE). The team from Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry have developed an artificial metal-based nanosyme that mimics the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes which help in clotting blood. The research paper — Vanadia Nanozymes Inhibit Platelet Aggregation, Modulate Signaling Pathways and Prevent Pulmonary Embolism in Mice — published on May 11 was made public on Tuesday. It explained that under normal circumstances, when a blood vessel is injured, specialised blood cells called platelets get activated and cluster together around the vessel to form protective blood clots. This process is known as blood clotting cascade (haemostasis). But when this does not happen in conditions like PTE or diseases like Covid-19, the oxidative stress and levels of toxic Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) increases, leading to over-activation of platelets. This triggers the formation of excess clots in the blood vessel, contributing to thrombosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The nanomaterials developed by the researchers mimic the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes and they control the ROS levels, thereby preventing the over-activation of platelets that leads to excess clot formation or thrombosis, the report stated. The team synthesised redox active nanomaterials of different sizes, shapes and morphologies through a series of controlled chemical reactions starting from small building blocks. They then isolated platelets from human blood, activated them using physiological agonists, and tested how effectively the different nanozymes could prevent excess platelet aggregation, the researchers explained in the report. Sherin GR, PhD student and co-author of the paper said, they found spherical-shaped vanadium pentoxide nanozymes were the most efficient. These material mimic a natural antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase to reduce 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,' added G Mugesh, Professor, and co-author of the paper.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
IISc scientists create artificial enzyme to tackle blood clots
Bengaluru: Researchers from Indian Institute of Science ( IISc ) have created a novel metal-based nanozyme that could help prevent abnormal blood clotting linked to conditions such as pulmonary thromboembolism - when a blood clot, often originating from a deep vein in the leg, travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs, obstructing blood flow. The artificial enzyme imitates natural antioxidant enzymes and works by controlling levels of toxic reactive oxygen species, which can trigger excessive platelet activation and dangerous clot formation. " Blood clots normally form as a protective response when blood vessels are injured. However, in diseases like Covid-19 or pulmonary thromboembolism, this process can go into overdrive, creating excess clots that block blood vessels and contribute to thrombosis ," IISc said Tuesday. The research team, led by Prof G Mugesh from the department of inorganic and physical chemistry, tested various nanomaterials before identifying "spherical vanadium pentoxide nanozymes" as the most effective. These materials mimic glutathione peroxidase, a natural enzyme that reduces oxidative stress. "The unique chemistry of the vanadium metal is crucial because the redox reactions that reduce reactive oxygen species levels are happening on the surface of the vanadium nanomaterial," Prof Mugesh explained. Tests on human blood platelets showed the nanozymes successfully prevented excessive clot formation. When injected into mice with pulmonary thromboembolism, the treatment significantly reduced thrombosis and improved survival rates, with no toxic effects observed over five days. Unlike conventional anti-clotting drugs, which can cause dangerous bleeding as a side effect, IISc said, the nanozymes don't interfere with normal blood clotting processes. "This means they won't cause bleeding complications that are a major concern with current therapies," PhD student Bidare N Sharath Babu, one of the study's authors, said. The team plans to investigate whether the nanozyme could stop ischaemic stroke, another condition caused by blocked blood vessels. Professor Mugesh expressed optimism about the potential human clinical trials.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Indian Institute of Science scientists create artificial enzyme to tackle deadly blood clots
Bengaluru: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science ( ) have created a novel metal-based nanozyme that could help prevent abnormal blood clotting linked to conditions such as pulmonary thromboembolism — when a blood clot, often originating from a deep vein in the leg, travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs, obstructing blood flow. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The artificial enzyme imitates natural antioxidant enzymes and works by controlling levels of toxic reactive oxygen species, which can trigger excessive platelet activation and dangerous clot formation. "Blood clots normally form as a protective response when blood vessels are injured. However, in diseases like Covid-19 or pulmonary thromboembolism, this process can go into overdrive, creating excess clots that block blood vessels and contribute to thrombosis," IISc said Tuesday. The research team, led by Prof G Mugesh from the department of inorganic and physical chemistry, tested various nanomaterials before identifying "spherical vanadium pentoxide nanozymes" as the most effective. These materials mimic glutathione peroxidase, a natural enzyme that reduces oxidative stress. "The unique chemistry of the vanadium metal is crucial because the redox reactions that reduce reactive oxygen species levels are happening on the surface of the vanadium nanomaterial," Prof Mugesh explained. Tests on human blood platelets showed the nanozymes successfully prevented excessive clot formation. When injected into mice with pulmonary thromboembolism, the treatment significantly reduced thrombosis and improved survival rates, with no toxic effects observed over five days. Unlike conventional anti-clotting drugs, which can cause dangerous bleeding as a side effect, IISc said, the nanozymes don't interfere with normal blood clotting processes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The nanozymes modulate the redox signalling and don't interfere with normal blood clotting. This means they won't cause bleeding complications that are a major concern with current therapies," PhD student Bidare N Sharath Babu, one of the study's authors, said. The team now plans to investigate whether the nanozyme could prevent ischaemic stroke, another condition caused by blocked blood vessels. Professor Mugesh expressed optimism about the potential human clinical trials, noting that the experiments used human platelets with successful results.
