- Dr Claudio Laurido, professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago, is studying the reduction of chronic arthritis pain by using drugs administrated via extended-release nanoparticles. “Currently, very strong injectable drugs are required, like morphine, with several undesirable side effects. The purpose of using these nanoparticles is to administrate lower doses of drugs, hopefully, with less side effects,” the researcher said.
According to the Chilean Ministry of Health, 1% of the population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, mostly women between 45 and 75 years old.
Dr Claudio Laurido, professor at the Department of Biology of Universidad de Santiago, seeks to use drug-loaded extended-release nanoparticles to inhibit arthritis pain, by injecting them into the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid.
“Currently, very strong injectable drugs are required, like morphine, with several undesirable side effects. The purpose of using these nanoparticles is to administrate lower doses of drugs, hopefully, with less side effects for patients,” the researcher says.
The study "Manufactura de nanopartículas de liberación prolongada de fármacos, caracterización y ensayo en ratas monoartríticas" (Development of drug extended-release nanoparticles. Characterization and testing in monoarthritic rats), will last for three years and is funded by the Scientific and Technological Research
The researcher says that there is evidence that chronic pain can kill a person. If pain is not controlled, it can affect the immune function, stimulate tumor growth, and cause depression, increasing the risk of suicide in patients.
“Common drugs are not the solution, as they relieve acute pain, which may be strong, but then it is reduced until disappearing. Chronic pain persists in time,” he adds.
For this reason, this study is focused on analyzing the neurobiological bases of chronic pain and identifying the cells involved in the processes that start, develop and maintain chronic arthritis pain.
Contributing to neurobiology
Dr Alejandro Hernández, co-investigator in this study, suggests the possibility of modulating spinal pain mechanisms by suppressing the communication between the glial system and neurons with drugs. For this purpose, the study will develop nanoparticles loaded with drugs that improve the cerebral blood flow.
In this study, nanoparticles will be made of biocompatible and biodegradable materials, like lipids and other products used in the food and cosmetics industry.
“These nanoparticles are used for their ability to encapsulate and release drugs over time. A common pill does not have this ability and lasts for a maximum of 4-6 hours. In this case, only one dose is totally effective,” Dr Laurido explains.
With this study, the researcher expects to contribute to the field of neurobiology. Extended-release nanoparticles allow to place drugs close to the area where the pain is generated (spinal cord), using much lower doses, reducing the administration frequency, reducing or eliminating undesirable side effects and increasing drug effectiveness. It will be a great contribution to the study of pain.
Translated by Marcela Contreras
