Potential of using chemically modified iron nanocomposites with a carbon layer (Fe@C) in the treatment of atherosclerosis

The project shows that nanocomposites obtained by gas-phase synthesis, consisting of zero-valent iron (30-40 nm) and coated with a carbon layer (5 nm) are successfully subjected to chemical modification with 4 octadecyl benzene diazonium tosylate. As a result of such modification, nanocomposites are obtained that acquire completely new properties, namely, active interaction with cholesterol-like chemical compounds that are part of the structure of atherosclerotic plaque in humans. Evidence of such interaction was obtained in morphological studies using optical and electron microscopy in experiments on laboratory animals (rats) in vivo, as well as using mass spectrometry methods of human atherosclerotic plaques in vitro experiments ^1,2,4,5.

As one of the first applied uses of the project, a technology for the production of a new generation of vascular stent has already been developed ³. It is based on the technology of applying a biodegradable coating to finished bare metal vascular stents. The biodegradable layer includes modified Fe@C, thereby considering the possibility of using local action on the structure of the atherosclerotic plaque and preventing its further growth (restenosis of the artery) after implantation of the stent into the bloodstream.

Taking into account the pronounced magnetic properties of the synthesized nanocomposites, the possibility of developing a drug and, using external magnetic fields, its targeted delivery to organs affected by atherosclerosis is being considered.

References:

1. Akhmedov, S.; Afanasyev,S.; Trusova, M.; Postnikov, P.;Rogovskaya, Y.; Grakova, E.; Kopeva,K.; Carreon Paz, R.K.; Balakin, S.;Wiesmann, H.-P.; Opitz,J.; Kruppke,B; Beshchasna,N; Popov,S.  Chemically Modified Biomimetic Carbon-Coated Iron Nanoparticles for Stent Coatings: In Vitro Cytocompatibility and In Vivo Structural Changes in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques. Biomedicines 2021, 9, 802. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9070802
2. Akhmedov, S.; Afanasyev, S.; Beshchasna, N.; Trusova, M.; Stepanov, I.; Rebenkova, M.; Poletykina, E.; Vecherskiy, Y.; Tverdokhlebov, S.; Bolbasov, E.;  Balakin S.; Opitz J.; Yermakov A.; Kozlov B. Effect of Chemically Modified Carbon-Coated Iron Nanoparticles on the Structure of Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Ex Vivo and on Adipose Tissue in Chronic Experiment In Vivo. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 8241. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158241
3. S. Goreninskii, M. Konishchev, E. Bolbasov, K. Evdokimov, T?H. Tran, M. Trusova, S. Akhmedov, S. Tverdokhlebov. Physico?chemical Evaluation of Antiatherosclerotic Coronary Stent Coatings Based on Poly(lactic acid) Doped with Functionalized Fe@C Nanoparticles. BioNanoScience, 2023.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12668-023-01272-1
4. Akhmedov, S., Stepanov, I., Afanasyev, S., Tverdokhlebov, S., Filimonov, V., Kamenshchikov, N., Yermakov, A., Xu, S., Afanasyeva, N., & Kozlov, B. (2024). Conceptual rationale for the use of chemically modified nanocomposites for active influence on atherosclerosis using the greater omentum model of experimental animals. Nanomedicine Nanotechnology Biology and Medicine, 102787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2024.102787
5. Akhmedov, S.D.; Afanasiev, S.A.; Filimonov, V.D.; Postnikov, P.S.; Trusova, M.E.; Karpov, R.S. Agent for Selective Adjustment of Blood Lipids. U.S. Patent US9,789,134,B2, 17 October 2017.

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