pH/Temperature Responsive Curcumin-Loaded Micelle Nanoparticles Promote Functional Repair after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats via Modulation of Inﬂammation

Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-023-00567-4 · Published: August 14, 2023

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) create an inflammatory environment that hinders nerve regeneration. This study explores using curcumin-loaded nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) to improve curcumin's bioavailability and reduce inflammation after SCI. Cur-NPs were synthesized to release curcumin in response to pH and temperature changes, common in SCI environments. The released curcumin helps modulate macrophage polarization, shifting from a pro-inflammatory (M1) to an anti-inflammatory (M2) type. By promoting M2 macrophage polarization, Cur-NPs facilitated a microenvironment that supported neuronal regeneration, nerve remyelination, and reduced scar formation, leading to improved hindlimb movement in rats with SCI.

Study Duration

4 Weeks

Participants

30 adult female rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Cur-NPs exhibit pH/temperature dual-sensitivity, enabling smart responsive release of curcumin in the inflammatory microenvironment after SCI, thus improving curcumin bioavailability.
2
Cur-NPs promoted macrophage polarization from the M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype to the M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype, reducing local inflammation after SCI.
3
Treatment with Cur-NPs led to improved hindlimb movements, enhanced neuronal regeneration and nerve remyelination, and reduced scar formation in rats with SCI.

Research Summary

This study investigates the use of curcumin-loaded micelle nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) to enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats by modulating the inflammatory response. The synthesized Cur-NPs demonstrated pH/temperature dual-sensitivity, facilitating targeted curcumin release in the SCI microenvironment, promoting macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 phenotypes, and reducing inflammation. In vivo results indicated that Cur-NPs improved hindlimb movements, enhanced neuronal regeneration, nerve remyelination, and reduced scar formation, suggesting a promising strategy for SCI repair.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Strategy

Cur-NPs offer a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI by targeting the inflammatory microenvironment and promoting nerve regeneration.

Drug Delivery

The pH/temperature dual-sensitive nanoparticles provide a smart drug delivery system for curcumin, enhancing its bioavailability and efficacy in SCI treatment.

Clinical Translation

The findings support further research into the clinical translation of Cur-NPs for SCI treatment in humans.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The long-term effects and potential toxicity of Cur-NPs were not fully investigated.
3
The precise mechanisms by which Cur-NPs modulate macrophage polarization require further exploration.

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