Despite the proven interesting features of some biocompatible Metal-Organic Framework nanocarriers in the encapsulation and release of many different therapeutic molecules, nerve agent antidotes have not been adequately addressed.
Organophosphate compounds are known for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by forming a covalent bond with a serine residue in the active site of AChE. Inhibition of AChE causes accumulation of ACh in the synapses and overstimulation of ACh receptors, resulting in severe symptoms such as convulsions, flaccid muscle paralysis, seizures and ultimately, death.
Current therapeutic treatments of this chemical agent poisoning includes administration of atropine, diazepam, and a compound generally referred to as “oxime”, which is capable of restoring the activity of AChE. An example of such an oxime is pralidoxime or 2-PAM.
This manuscript describes the successful preparation of high yields of microporous titanium aminoterephthalate monodispersed MIL-125-NH2 nanoparticles by using a simple, safe and low-cost methodology. These colloidally stable MIL-125 NH2 solutions were able to effectively encapsulate the nerve agent antidote 2-PAM into the MOF pores.
Further research could improve control over the drug delivery kinetics, thus improving the 2-PAM half-life. Given the simplicity of preparing MIL-125-NH2 nanoparticles and its remarkable colloidal stability, this nano-MOF system seems to be a powerful tool for application in biomedicine and other relevant fields requiring stable colloidal solutions.
Read the study at Nanomaterials: Nanometric MIL-125-NH2 Metal–Organic Framework as a Potential Nerve Agent Antidote Carrier (doi:10.3390/nano7100321).
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