The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Monday, 1st June 2009 (3763 views)

Scientists have used nanotechnology in a new study that could potentially help reduce the risk of heart disease.

According to the American Chemical Society, researcher Clive Prestidge and his colleagues have utilised the technology - which often involves the use of gold - to help the human body absorb medications more easily.

They have developed a "nano-hybrid microcapsule" that improves the stomach's uptake of medicines used to treat diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Tests have shown the technique to be more effective than including detergent-like substances in drugs, with experiments revealing that microcapsule versions of indomethacin, which is used to treat arthritis, can dissolve in the stomach up to five times faster than the form of medication currently in use.

Last month it was announced that the Stand Up To Cancer charity in the US has granted over $73 million (£46 million) to research teams using nanotechnology to find new cancer treatment methods.

 

« Back to Gold News stories