A novel treatment option for infertility in women offers tiny packs that can deliver medication into the endometrium. In this way, the researchers were able to...thin uterine lining in endometriosisthicken. The tiny microscale particles stimulated the growth of blood vessels and produced promising results in preliminary experiments on cells and mice.
Targeted delivery of infertility medications in women
Poor blood flow within the uterine lining limits its thickness. The study authors therefore sought to find an effective way to promote the formation of new blood vessels. However, current methods for producing tiny particles face several challenges. These include the need for complex, sophisticated manufacturing processes and variation in the sizes of the spheres. However, scientists have managed to develop a simple and efficient technique for producing uniform microspheres. These are loaded with a compound known to be a potent stimulator of blood vessel growth. To formulate their tiny particles, the researchers used hyaluronic acid. This is a substance known to contribute to the growth of the uterine lining. Using a method called electrospray, they created droplets of this substance that were all very similar in size. They then collected the droplets and glued them together using a UV light treatment.
The researchers found that by manipulating the composition of the spheres in this way, they could alter their ability to absorb and release drugs. They then loaded the particles with their second active ingredient. This compound is known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In experiments with female mice with thin endometrium, they found that microspheres promoted some tissue thickening compared to the control. The spheres produced the greatest thickening. While this system is promising, it requires further security testing, according to the authorsthis studyreport. They add that limitations on the spheres' ability to release drugs may require multiple treatments for fertility patients.
