Research Context & Objective
- Conducted by: IISc researchers, led by Prof. G. Mugesh (Dept. of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry).
- Objective: To prevent abnormal blood clotting (thrombosis) linked to conditions like pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and COVID-19.
Relevance : GS 2(Health) ,GS 3(Technology)
Understanding the Problem
- Normal Blood Clotting (Haemostasis):
- Triggered by injury to blood vessels.
- Platelets cluster to form a clot, activated by agonists like collagen and thrombin.
- Abnormal Clotting (e.g., in PTE, COVID-19):
- Caused by oxidative stress and excess Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).
- ROS leads to over-activation of platelets, forming harmful clots (thrombosis).
- Thrombosis contributes to ischemic events, strokes, and deaths.
Nanozyme Development
- Developed: Redox-active nanomaterials mimicking natural antioxidant enzymes.
- Function: Scavenge ROS to regulate oxidative stress and prevent platelet over-activation.
- Synthesis: Achieved via controlled chemical reactions using small molecular building blocks.
Key Findings
- Tested different sizes, shapes, and morphologies of nanozymes.
- Platelets were isolated and activated using physiological agonists in lab settings.
- Spherical-shaped Vanadium Pentoxide (V₂O₅) nanozymes showed the highest efficacy in preventing excess aggregation.
Medical Significance
- Potential to treat or prevent:
- Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE)
- Thrombosis linked to COVID-19
- Ischemic stroke (next phase of research)
- Offers an alternative to conventional anticoagulants with a more targeted approach via ROS modulation.
Wider Implications
- Represents a biomimetic therapeutic approach — using synthetic materials to mimic natural enzyme functions.
- Opens avenues in nanomedicine for targeted, controlled therapies.
- Can reduce side-effects typically associated with broad-spectrum blood thinners.
