Use of Super Paramagnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a serious condition where arteries become clogged up by fatty substances, such as cholesterol. This results in the formation of plaques or atheromas, a condition where the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to an excessive build up of plaque around the artery wall. This disease disrupts the flow of blood around the body, posing serious cardiovascular complications leading to life-threatening situations. Nanoparticles have the potential to be used in many different biological and medical applications as diagnostic or therapeutic tools. Super paramagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are widely used in various biomedical applications, such as targeted drug delivery system and magnetic resonance imaging. Utilization of biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles such as SPIONs in the removal of atherosclerotic plaque through their unique magnetic properties directing them to the site is novel. Here we hypothesize that SPIONs, can be effective in the treatment of atherosclerosis because they can be targeted in the site allowing the particles to spin backwards and forward at high speed generating heat using an external a.c magnetic field, which will reduce the hardness of the plaque, due to temporary thermal expansion. By magnetically manipulating the SPION, the plaque can be abraded.