Nanotechnology May Provide the Key to Battling Lung Infections in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
A Silver Bullet for CF?
"Silver in the form of nanoparticles is even more effective [than antibiotics], partly because of the high surface/volume fraction so that a large proportion of silver atoms are in direct contact with their environment. In addition, nanoparticles are sufficiently small to pass through outer cell membranes and enter cells' inner mechanisms." (see http://www.physorg.com/news63004522.html)
Anitibiotic resistance is another serious problem in treating lung infections in CF patients. Ever increasing doses lead to more side effects and a rapidly diminishing pool of effective medications. Silver runs a much less likelihood of resistance while providing minimal risk of side effects.
The biggest hinderance to using silver in medicine before now was creating a useful form. Scientists from Leicester University have overcome this by building a machine that can produce it by the bottle - particles all the same size suspended in a liquid, which means it can be put in an aerosol and breathed in. It could also be injected.
"Chris Binns, professor of nanoscience at Leicester, said the microscopic silver particles are small enough to pass inside the germs and disrupt their inner workings - but they do not kill human cells. Just two or three nanoparticles are enough to kill one germ cell." (See: http://tahilla.typepad.com/mrsawatch/2006/03/particles_of_si.html.
The theory has yet to be put to the test in animals let alone in human trials. The proposal is an intriguing one however -as it appears (at least on the surface) to be comparatively simple to develop - much like the new, much praised saline nebulized treatment now in use. (See: http://www.cff.org/treatments/Therapies/Respiratory/HypertonicSaline/
More Silver in the News
AcryMed has recently been given approval from the FDA for its use of SilvaGard™, the company's breakthrough silver nanotechnology that can render existing medical devices impervious to infection-causing bacteria. SilvaGard is a silver nanoparticle antimicrobial coating that protects against the formation of infection-causing biofilm.
"Ionic silver has been long recognized and used as a highly effective antimicrobial. SilvaGard nanotechnology provides an easy, cost-effective method of applying a surface treatment of ionic silver to a device. The devices can be treated to provide effective antimicrobial protection for days, weeks, or even months, depending upon application requirements." (See: New Nanotechnology Receives FDA Approval - New Era In Battle Against Hospital Related Infections
Published by Mari Johnson
Mari, a writer, photographer, make-up artist and Argentine tango dancer, produces articles, graphics and other web content for multiple web sites and blogs. View profile
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- Just two or three nanoparticles are enough to kill one germ cell.
- Nanoparticles are tiny flecks of metal containing just a few hundred atoms.
- Nanocrystalline silver is released slowly and avoids the dramatic peaks and troughs of other silver