Researchers develop a nano-scale hydrogel that can help address rheumatoid arthritis

As they say, too much of a good thing can be bad. Case in point? The body’s natural nitric oxide levels.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role by helping prevent high blood pressure and plaque build-up in the arteries. However, when endogenous NO is overproduced by the body — as is the case in some physiological disorders — it can cause severe inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Crohn’s disease.

As a way to address this, researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) led by Won Jong Kim developed a method to scavenge excess NO and reduce its concentration in the body, noting that scavenging the compound may be an alternative strategy for treating inflammatory disorders.

The POSTECH team’s findings were published in the journal Nano Letters.

As detailed in their study, the team developed the NO-responsive hydrogel by upgrading the formula they created two years prior, by polymerizing acrylamide and NO-cleavable crosslinker (NOCCL) together. This resulted in a NO-scavenging nano-sized hydrogel (NO-Scv gel) which consumes NO by reacting with it.

According to the researchers, the new formulation is different from the former drug in that it is directly involved in scavenging NO from the body with minimum side effects. In addition, the new hydrogel can be used not just in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but also other NO-mediated inflammatory diseases. Not only that, the researchers say the new formulation shows excellent biocompatibility.

The study also detailed the hydrogel’s potency, with the researchers noting how it proved more effective than dexamethasone — a commercial drug — in suppressing the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in an animal test.

“The drugs that have been used for suppressing NO affect biomolecules in the body directly and this brings various side effects such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. But, this nano-sized hydrogel has demonstrated many meaningful results that it is more effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis by scavenging NO directly and has decreased the possibility of the side effects caused by the current drugs that we use today,” Kim said.

According to the researchers, as their findings suggest the potential of the NO-Scv hydrogel for biomedical applications, they expect to see further clinical research and clinical translation to be done on their formula.

Reducing inflammation naturally

It may not feel like it, but inflammation is part of the body’s natural healing system. However, there are times when it occurs even without injuries or infections, leaving the immune system no other choice but to fight the body’s organs — even if they are in the pink of health. This can be damaging to the body, especially if it becomes chronic. (Related: Reduce inflammation and disease the tasty way: Add these healthful spices to your diet.)

Here are some tips on how to reduce inflammation — the natural way, of course:

• Control your blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar levels may trigger inflammation in the body. This means avoiding sugary drinks and anything made from refined flours.
• Increase your intake of anti-inflammatory food. Load up on foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, walnuts and flaxseed. You can also increase your consumption of grapes, blueberries, garlic, olive oil and tea.
• Exercise and maintain a healthy weight.
• Manage your stress. Try doing yoga, or engage in meditation.
• Avoid processed meat. These contain too many artificial compounds that may trigger or worsen inflammation in your body.

Health.news has more stories on inflammation.

Sources include:

Nanowerk.com

Pubs.ACS.org

Scripps.org