Karachi: Scientists have developed a new biogel that can be injected into a vein to reverse the damage caused by a heart attack, and the gel starts working as soon as it enters the patient.
This team of researchers at the University of California, San Diego, has been trying to create this biomaterial for more than a decade.
Scientists created the hydrogel in 2012 and then tested it on pigs, where it was observed that the liquid entered the body and formed a fibrous mesh. Later, scientists created a gel that could be injected into the body by removing larger particles from the hydrogel and adding water to slow down the flow.
After entering the body, this gel fills the gaps and accelerates the repair process of the blood vessels.
The invention was tested on mice and pigs with success. In trials, the gel repaired heart damage and reduced inflammation, and scientists now plan to test the gel on humans in the next one to two years.
Karen Christman, a bioengineer at the university, said the team of researchers believed the gel could provide immediate treatment to patients after a heart attack by saving and rebuilding some tissue.
The team presented their research findings in the December 29 issue of Nature Biomedical Engineering.
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