Recent advances in the application of gasotransmitters in spinal cord injury

Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-024-02523-3 · Published: May 1, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Physiology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) results in motor, sensory, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Current treatments have limited efficacy in promoting nerve regeneration. Gasotransmitters like hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, and carbon monoxide show neuroprotective effects. Gas molecular therapy is increasingly used in medical research, with gasotransmitters such as hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and hydrogen exhibiting neuroprotective effects in central nervous system diseases. Nanotechnology enables targeted enrichment and precise control release of gas at injury sites, showing promising therapeutic effects in preclinical studies and offering new hope for SCI treatment.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects and can protect the spinal cord. It reduces oxidative stress and promotes axon growth.
2
Nitric oxide (NO) exhibits a double-edged role; iNOS-produced NO is neurotoxic, while cNOS-produced NO can be neuroprotective under certain conditions.
3
Carbon monoxide (CO) has anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant properties at low concentrations, promoting neuro-regeneration through specific signaling pathways.

Research Summary

This review discusses the therapeutic effects and research progress of gasotransmitters and nanogas in treating SCI. Gasotransmitters like H2S, NO, CO, O2, and H2 regulate various physiological functions and offer therapeutic effects during major diseases. Nanotechnology optimizes the targeting of therapeutic gases to injury sites, maintaining therapeutic concentrations for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-protective effects. Future research aims to develop multifunctional gas molecule donor materials that release therapeutic gases and pro-neural vascular growth metal ions at the SCI site.

Practical Implications

Targeted Gas Delivery

Nanocarriers can be used to achieve targeted delivery and controlled release of therapeutic gases at the site of spinal cord injury, improving efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity.

Combination Therapies

Combining gasotransmitters with nanotechnology and other therapeutic approaches may lead to synergistic effects and improved outcomes for SCI patients.

Neurovascular Regeneration

Developing materials that promote both neuro and vascular regeneration at the injury site can enhance recovery and functional outcomes after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Clinical gas therapy is mainly carried out by inhalation, which is easy to induce body poisoning and difficult to realize the on-demand gas release in the lesion area.
2
The gas release is poorly controllable, and in the absence of X-ray irradiation, NO is still released slowly and spontaneously.
3
It is still difficult to carry out the implementation of nanomedicine into clinical trials

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