Beijing - Saba:
Scientists from Nanjing University and the University of Science and Technology of China have developed a "nanovaccine" that prevents the formation of plaques in arteries, which are one of the main causes of heart disease.
The researchers stated: "Our results show that the nanovaccine delivery strategy, composed of two components, is effective against atherosclerosis," according to the South China Morning Post.
As is well known, the accumulation of plaques, fat, cholesterol, and cellular waste in the arteries leads to atherosclerosis, which can result in blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.
To develop this vaccine, the Chinese scientists decided to combine an antigen that stimulates the body's immune response to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis with nanoparticles of iron oxide, and separately combine an immunoadjuvant – a substance used to enhance the immune response – with other nanoparticles.
According to the scientists, the experimental two-component vaccine showed "promising results" in tests conducted on mice. However, to determine how long the nanovaccine protects against atherosclerosis, further large-scale studies are needed.
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