Wednesday, July 17, 2013

A Glimpse On Liposome And Its Functions

By Danielle Galloway


Medical science is constantly evolving. Through the years, it continues to look for solutions and treatments for various medical diseases. One of the remarkable discoveries that science stumbled into is the liposome. This is a recent breakthrough that is believed to be potent in treating many medical malfunctions. It is also used to help administer drugs more efficiently and increase the success rate of organ transplant among other functions.

Liposomes are microscopical vesicles developed in an artificial environment like a laboratory. These are composed of phospholipids that are naturally produced or extracted from another source. Its outer wall has similar composition to that of a cell wall. This allows direct interaction between the cells and the liposomes. These tiny, spheroid-shaped bubbles are typically watery in its core.

The most common use of this structure is to introduce medicines to the patient's body more effectively. The unique property of the vesicles allow drugs to be delivered in specific parts of the body through diffusion. With its double-layered membranes, the vesicle can carry hydrophobic drugs. This can also be used to carry biological agents like antibodies to targeted parts in the patient's body.

Moreover, this can extend the delivery time of the administered drugs. The bi-layered sphere slowly releases the drugs in interval over a period of time. This is hypothetically believed to help reduce side-effects since the direct impact of the applied medications are limited only to the affected tissues. This also means that the efficiency of the drugs is maximized.

The structure is considered a natural treatment to cancer, too. The vesicle has the ability to target cancer cells. It can also slip right into the tumor by following the blood flow. Liposomes are small in size, so it does not stray away from the bloodstream. Not to mention its composition that is closely similar to blood vessels, which are trapped inside the endothelial wall. In contrast, cancer cells are leaky in nature. It lets through even the small particles to escape.

The vesicles can help neutralize autoimmune reactions of the body. Rejections occur in many transplant surgeries when the body identifies the transplanted organ as foreign. The immune system's natural reaction would be to attack the entity in order to protect the body from infestation. The use of artificial lipid can suppress the progress of immune system, so the body has enough time to accommodate the newly introduced organ.

However, this drug vessel is not spontaneously produced. There are many different methods to create the vesicles depending on its function and purpose. The methods of dissemination and the conditions in which it will be released must be taken into account. The type of material to be transported determines how the structure is created.

The vesicles are produced in different sizes. Generally, these have to be small enough for the white blood cells to engulf the bubbles with ease before releasing the drugs it carries. A decision must be made before the production process to determine the size and number of vessels needed. Reproduction must also be anticipated.

The only possible disadvantage with liposome is the cost of producing it. Mass production is not currently feasible because the vessels do not last long following its creation. Stability may also be an issue. On occasion, the drugs may be mixed unintentionally. Other than that, this is a promising breakthrough.




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