Nanosponges are nano sized particles designed to look like red blood cell and protect the body. Nanoparticles have been used for unknown preventative measures, such as silverware and wound care products. Silverware contains small silver nanoparticles which contain an antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial agents are able to prevent the spread of disease. When silverware was created that was not the intention of the silver product. In more recent years, many wound care products have been made with silver and other various nanoparticles. The universal use of silver in wound care products is mainly for the antimicrobial properties, which helps treat wounds of all severity. They are very minute particles used for a vast majority of things, one including healthcare. A specific type of nanoparticle seen recently in the healthcare field is a nanosponge. Nanosponges are nano sized particles designed to look like red blood cell and protect the body. They are also able to fight and prevent the spread of disease. Nanosponges target toxins, the toxins organize themselves to poke holes inside the red blood cell (nanosponge) membrane this method of poking holes is called pore-forming. After the toxins are attached to the nanosponge, it will lead to cell damage and cell death.
Nanosponges are introduced to the body by injection, and take the form of a red blood cell so that the bacteria or venom attacks it. Once it is attacked, it is trapped within the scaffolding of the nanosponge. After the nanosponge is full of toxins and cannot trap anymore it moves to the liver to filter out the toxins. Researchers are posed with is how to tackle all the different types of bacteria and venom, making a lot of different nanosponges for each specific bacteria and venom is nearly impossible. As of now they are focusing on toxins such as; E. Coli, MRSA, pneumonia, bee venom, snake venom and sea anemone venom. These venoms all use a pore-forming strategy, which is useful when dealing with nanosponges. A single nanosponge can capture many of the bacteria and venoms, instead of being tailored to each individually. Another obstacle researchers are faced with is the lifespan of the nanosponges. Once nanosponges are injected they can move rapidly through the blood system, and be found in the liver to be filtered out within hours. Researchers are working on a technique using hydrogel to coat the nanosponges to increase the life of the nanosponge and help them to remain stationary after injection. What essentially will happen is before the nanosponges are injected they will be coated in a hydrogel that with prolong life, and keep the nanosponges from moving around the body. Having a stationary location for all nanoparticles to reside can more effectively tackle specific regions affected with disease. It was found that 80 percent of nanosponges coated with a hydrogel lasted more than two days after injection. Only 20 percent of nanosponges not coated in the hydrogel lasted two hours after injection, and diffused to other locations in the body.
Nanosponges are known to move rapidly throughout the body, making them efficient in scanning and killing toxins, but irrelevant in tackling a stationary area of disease, or delivering drugs to a specific area. The hydrogel will help immensely in the longevity of the nanosponge, and will allow it to show its full potential in a serious situations. If the nanosponge follows healthcare into the future it can be a tremendous resource for preventative care. Imagine going to the doctor to receive a nanosponge shot to prevent you from acquiring some disease you may be prone to, or possibly a preventative measure before traveling out of the state or country. This technology could save many lives as being used as a preventative measure. Even when patients have to stay at the hospital for long periods of time, maybe due to a surgery or birth. These patients can be injected with nanosponges so they do not acquire Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI). This can reduce the cost to the patient but shortening their stay, and also the hospitals cost for less patients staying longer periods of time, due to a HAI.