Assessment of graphene oxide permeability using an in vitro blood-brain barrier model
| Grant number: | 12/24782-5 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| Effective date (Start): | April 01, 2013 |
| Effective date (End): | June 30, 2016 |
| Field of knowledge: | Interdisciplinary Subjects |
| Principal Investigator: | Maria Alice da Cruz Hofling |
| Grantee: | Monique Culturato Padilha Mendonça |
| Home Institution: | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil |
| Associated scholarship(s): | 15/03254-9 - Assessment of graphene oxide permeability using an in vitro blood-brain barrier model, BE.EP.DR |
Abstract Pharmacological treatments of neurological disorders are often complicated due to the inability of the drugs to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). The BBB, although essential for the maintenance of homeostasis of central nervous system (CNS), is the greatest obstacle to the access of therapeutic drugs in the neural microenvironment since it has structural and molecular characteristics that restrict the permeation of xenobiotics. In this context, nanotechnology may offer an innovative solution through the use of nanocarriers of genes, drugs or biomolecules. Among the different types of nanoparticles (NPs), carbon NPs, as graphene oxide (GO) are arguably the most interesting products of nanotechnology since their unique physicochemical characteristics provides a broad range of biological applications, including interface with neural systems components. Therefore the purpose of the present study is to investigate the ability of GO suspended in different vehicles (water and polyetilenoglycol) to cross the BBB in rats. The toxicity of both types of NPs in neural tissue will also be evaluated. Understanding the mechanisms involved may contribute to the development of useful tools for clinical intervention, and may be relevant for understanding the mechanisms related to the functioning of the BBB. | |