Although the human body is renowned for its impressive capacity for regeneration, this has its limits. In order to give it a serious boost, British researchers have designed very promising blood implants.
You sang a peptides synthetic
In the case of moderate injuries (mild wounds and fractures), body tissues can heal naturally without surgery. THE sang will quickly begin to form a solid structure around the injury which summons the cells, molecules and proteins essential for regeneration.
Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Nottingham managed to create an improved version of this complex environment, using blood and synthetic proteins known as amphiphilic peptides. Presenting both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, they will essentially strengthen the structure of the “regenerative hematoma” and accelerate healing.
In experiments on rats, from which small sections of skull had previously been surgically removed, the team found that injecting these bone cavities withimplants blood (involving the rodents’ own hemoglobin) largely favored the formation of new tissue. After six weeks, this was found to be twice as significant in the treated specimens.
A simple, safe and adaptable approach
According to the scientists, the approach used is simple and safe, and the regenerative structures could be 3D printed to precisely match the type and shape of the injury.
« The ability to easily and safely transform patients’ blood into highly regenerative implants is exciting », Estimates Cosimo Ligorio, co-author of the new study, published in the journal Advanced Materials. « Blood is virtually free, and relatively large volumes can be obtained easily. »
In September, the results of clinical trials demonstrated the potential of a very different implant, having enabled a diabetic patient to do without insulin for 5 years.
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