The product has shown efficiency in laboratory tests, although clinical research are expected.
HIV (Agency ID/DICYT)
After discovering that the nanoparticles of silver are capable of blocking the entry of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to the body, a group of researchers from the University of Texas, in collaboration with Dr. Humberto Lara Villegas, specialist in nanobiotechnology and virology at the University of Monterrey (UDEM), produced a vaginal cream for the control of the transmission of the virus.
Lara Villegas explained that the HIV-1 able to enter the immune cells (CD4) body with the help of the protein known as GP120, which allows the virus to adhere to the cells. This same principle is used by the nanoparticles of silver to stick to this protein and lock it, so that the virus is inactive.
The Mexican scientist reported that the cream had already been tested in biopsies of human tissue and has demonstrated the efficacy of nanoparticles of silver to prevent the transmission of the virus through the tissue of the cervical mucus.
The researcher from the UDEM, who has also worked in Israel and the United States, he said that the cream be applied after begins to act in less than a minute, and has an effective protection of up to 72 hours.
Due to the function of this product is the inactivation of the virus, although this is a vaginal cream, also protect the sexual partner.
"Normally -explained-, the drugs used against the viruses act within the cell and no longer reproduce. Here are very different, because the nanoparticle is going against the HIV directly and no longer allowed to enter the cell".
So far has not been reported toxicity of nanoparticles of silver, although he added that there is still research that assesses the possible side effects to the properties of the silver.
"At this moment I am sure that this microbicide is going to prevent the virus from the body, but still I can't ensure that it is totally harmless, as the clinical research is a slow and costly process," he said.
He explained that the use of substances in gel often present irritation, which favors the entry of the virus, so to the cream is added to it an anti-inflammatory effect.
Currently, with the progress achieved, we will proceed to make experiments in mice to accept human cells to subsequently start with clinical research in humans.
He added that this cream could also prevent other viruses acquired by sexually as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Similarly, I believe that the nanoparticles of silver can be used to fight bacteria transmitted by the same track.
Advancement that in addition, his research team works in a diagnostic kit to predict in hours, through blood tests, the resistance of an HIV-positive person to antiretroviral treatments, results that will help the doctor to prescribe the treatment more in line with the profile of the person living with HIV.
"Now we can give these results but we are in preliminary tests and we require the study of many seropositive patients to be able to calibrate this kit", external.
Fuente: Agencia iberoamericana para la difusión de la ciencia y la tecnología
Publicado por : http://cienciaaldia.com/
Via: http://vidacotidianitica.blogspot.mx
Entrada en Español
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