A group of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, has achieved an undeniable step in the war against thrombosis. Under the Dr. Sudip Mukherjee of the School of Biomedical Engineering, the researchers have designed a new compound named potassium ferric oxalate nanoparticles (KFeOx-NPs) that might replace blood thinners, decreasing their harmful side effects.
The issue with conventional anticoagulants
Medications such as warfarin and heparin have been utilized for many years to prevent and treat blood clots. They carry a variety of side effects, including:
Bleeding that is excessive
Decreased bone density
Risk of birth defect
In India, venous thromboembolism (VTE), encompassing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), occurs in an estimated 1-2 per 1,000 individuals per year. PE and DVT alone result in thousands of patients each year and are a major cause of death.
Even in the laboratory environment, routinely used chemical anticoagulants like EDTA and sodium citrate will alter blood cell composition after a while, affecting the validity of test results.
This stability is especially beneficial in healthcare settings where blood samples must be stored for extended periods of time without the loss of diagnostic accuracy.
Confirmed through real-world testing
The usefulness of the new material was not confined to the laboratory. In a thrombosis mouse model, KFeOx-NPs proved capable of inhibiting clotting within the body. This promises to lead to real-world applications in medicine, possibly transforming the treatment of blood clotting disorders.
What does this mean for the future?
This finding may open the door to safe, side-effect-free blood clot prevention not just in hospitals but in diagnostic laboratories and even emergency rooms. By providing a non-invasive, blood-compatible substitute for existing anticoagulants, KFeOx-NPs may transform the way we treat stroke, heart attack, DVT, and PE.
With each advancement in research, this innovation promises not just treatment but also enhanced diagnostic precision, storage of blood samples safely, and expanded use in healthcare.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)
