Gas inside us could fight wound infections, moth study shows
A gas naturally produced by our own bodies could one day help treat skin and wound infections, potentially offering a new approach alongside conventional antibiotics.
Scientists have discovered a potential new treatment for skin infections using tiny particles that release nitric oxide, a gas our bodies naturally produce. In a study led by researchers at the University of Reading, it was found that nine out of ten infected wax moth larvae survived bacterial infections after being injected with these nitric oxide-releasing particles.
This is in contrast to around six out of ten larvae that did not receive treatment. Nitric oxide's unique ability to attack germs on multiple fronts makes it difficult for bacteria to build resistance, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics. However, the challenge lies in developing a method to store and release nitric oxide steadily over time.
Wax moth larvae were used in this study due to their similar germ-fighting mechanisms to humans while requiring fewer mammals in experiments. The particles, PEGylated S-nitrosothiol organosilica nanoparticles, released nitric oxide slowly over several hours, showing between 10,000 and 100,000 times fewer bacteria after a day of treatment compared to untreated larvae. Further research is required before these particles can be used to treat human infections.
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