Добавил:
kiopkiopkiop18@yandex.ru t.me/Prokururor I Вовсе не секретарь, но почту проверяю Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз: Предмет: Файл:
Ординатура / Хирургия / Библиотека им академика М.И. Перельмана / Книга_5398_Библиотеки_им_академика_М_И_Перельмана.pdf
Скачиваний:
0
Добавлен:
15.09.2026
Размер:
15 Мб
Скачать
☆
Drug Delivery to the Cardiovascular System: Application and Future Prospects 339
toxicology (ADME/Tox). By incorporating these considerations earlier in the dr ug development pipeline, researchers can ensure that drug-like proper ties are built into new compounds from the outset.
In some cases, standard medicinal chemistry approaches are not enough to overcome the challenges associated with drug delivery, especially when these compounds are tested in preclinical models or administered to humans. In such instances, advanced formulation technologies have been employed to enhance the drug’s ability to reach its target site effectively. One of the main challenges in the delivery of small molecule drugs is solubility, which can be improved through the use of nanoformulation techniques. Nano­medicine offers distinct advantages in drug delivery by not only enhancing the drug’s distribution to its target but also providing protection against toxicity in non-target organs. For example, a recent study led by Liu and colleagues demonstrated how the use of a hyaluronic acid polymer nanoparticle combined with Intralipid 20% could significantly reduce the toxicity of platinum-based can­cer drugs in organs, such as the liver, spleen, and kidney. Intralipid is currently being tested in human clinical trials to evaluate its effectiveness in cardiac reperfusion therapy.
In recent years, various types of nanomedicine have been devel­oped to address different therapeutic needs. The choice of a specific formulation depends on a range of factors, including the chemical properties of the drug, such as solubility and molecular weight, as well as the intended therapeutic goal. For example, if the objective is to treat peripheral organ systems, the primary for mulation target may be to protect the drug from metabolism. In other cases, nanoformulation may be used to improve the distribution of the drug to specific target organs, such as the brain. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is highly selective, only allows certain com­pounds to pass through via transcellular or transporter-mediated uptake. A recent study highlighted a novel approach to overcoming this barrier by activating the A2A adenosine receptor (A2A AR), which was shown to open the BBB, potentially allowing drugs like chemotherapeutic agents—normally excluded from the brain—to reach the central nervous system (CNS).
Various
nanoformulations have been developed for small organic molecules, including liposomes, nanoparticles, nanocap­sules, nanotubes, polymeric conjugates, and micelles. While these formulations have been most extensively used in treating cancer and central nervous system diseases, other therapeutic areas such as orthopedics and cardiovascular diseases are now emerging as promising fields for novel drug delivery strategies. The general approach for nanoformulating small molecules involves encapsulat­ing the drug within a polymer carrier system. In this method, the lipophilic properties of the drug interact with the lipophilic regions of the polymer, causing the polymer to self-assemble and form a
340 Pankaj Kumar Umar et al.
protective barrier between the drug and its aqueous environment. Other nanoformulation methods include conjugating the drug to the polymer or forming a complex with systems such as glutathione or folate. These innovative approaches provide significant potential for improving the delivery, efficacy, and safety of small molecule therapies across various disease conditions.

3 Drawbacks of Conventional Drug Delivery System

Despite significant advancements in conventional drug delivery systems (DDSs), there are still notable limitations, especially in the context of cardiovascular applications. One of the primary challenges lies in the extremely low efficiency of gene transfection and cell engraftment at the target site. This inefficient delivery of drugs often results in insufficient drug concentrations at the desired location, which in turn leads to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, conventional DDSs are prone to off-target effects, where the drugs may unintentionally affect surrounding tissues, potentially causing adverse side effects.
Another major limitation of traditional drug delivery methods is the difficulty in tracking drug movement and behavior in real­time within the body. Conventional systems often lack the capabil­ity to monitor how well drugs are retained at the target site and how they are distributed throughout the body. Without this real-time tracking, it is challenging to ensure the effectiveness of the treat­ment or make necessary adjustments during therapy.
To address these drawbacks, there has been growing interest in utilizing external stimuli, such as magnetic fields (MF) and ultra­sound (US), as part of novel drug delivery strategies. These meth­ods offer a non-invasive approach to drug delivery and possess intrinsic biomedical effects that make them particularly attractive. The application of external stimuli allows for more precise control over drug release and distribution, potentially improving therapeu­tic outcomes while minimizing side effects.

4 Factors Affecting Cardiovascular Drug Targeting System

The design and development of vascular-specific drug delivery vehicles require careful consideration of several physical attributes, such as particle size, shape, density, and how they behave in blood flow. These characteristics are essential to ensure that the drug carriers can travel effectively through the bloodstream and selec­tively bind to the target receptors on the endothelial lining of vascular plaques and walls. Factors such as particle shape, size, density, and their interaction with blood flow dynamics are critical in the development of vascular-targeted drug delivery systems. By
Drug Delivery to the Cardiovascular System: Application and Future Prospects 341
optimizing these factors, drug carriers can be engineered to improve their precision in targeting diseased areas within the vas­cular system, leading to more effective therapies for vascular-related diseases.

4.1 Particle Shape

4.2 Particle Size

Spherical particles are often preferred due to their favorable hydro­dynamic properties and ease of fabrication. The shape of the drug delivery vehicle significantly impacts its ability to circulate in the bloodstream, its internalization into target cells, and its efficiency in binding to specific receptors. Spherical particles are typically cleared more quickly by the body, which can reduce their overall effective­ness. However, non-spherical particles, such as those with disk- or rod-like shapes, tend to remain in circulation for a longer time, offering greater resistance to rapid renal clearance. This prolonged circulation enhances their ability to target specific areas within the vascular system. The oblong or elongated shape of these non-spherical particles allows them to experience lower drag forces, improve adhesion to the vascular walls, and provide more binding sites for targeting ligands. As a result, non-spherical particles may be more effective for targeted vascular drug delivery.
The size of the particles is also critical for successful drug delivery. Particles that range from tens of nanometers to submicron sizes are ideal for intravenous delivery through the microcirculatory system. These small particles are less likely to trigger an immune response, allowing them to circulate longer without being cleared. While nanosized particles are advantageous in this regard, micropar ticles, which are larger (ranging between 2 to 5 micrometers), tend to exhibit stronger adhesion to their target, particularly in larger vessels such as arteries, which are commonly affected by conditions like atherosclerosis or peripheral artery disease. Microparticles, regardless of their shape, demonstrate a higher binding affinity compared to nanosized particles. However, particles should not exceed 5 micrometers in size, as larger particles are subjected to greater disruptive forces and increased wear and tear, resulting in diminished adhesion efficiency to the targeted site.

4.3 Particle Density

The density of the particles plays an important role in how well they can move toward and adhere to vascular walls. Different materials used for vascular targeting have various densities based on their composition. For example, FDA-approved biodegradable polymers typically have a neutral buoyancy or a density slightly higher than that of blood. In contrast, inorganic particles such as silica or gold have much higher densities than blood, which can enhance their performance in targeted delivery. Silica particles, for instance, exhibit better adhesion to vascular walls than polystyrene particles of the same size. This is largely due to the fact that silica is almost twice as dense as blood, whereas polystyrene is neutrally buoyant.
342 Pankaj Kumar Umar et al.
The higher density of silica helps the particles marginate, or move toward the vascular wall, more effectively, which increases their ability to bind to the target site.

4.4 Flow Characteristics

Blood flow dynamics, or hemodynamics, are critical in determining how well the drug delivery particles adhere to the endothelium and interact with target receptors. Various factors, including shear forces, flow patterns, the presence of red blood cells, and the height of the blood vessel channels, influence these interactions. Interest­ingly, the pulsatile nature of blood flow, which involves periodic fluctuations in velocity and pressure, and flow recirculation gener­ally do not significantly affect the adhesion of nanoparticles. This is because nanoparticles are small enough that they are less influenced by the disruptive forces generated by blood flow. On the other hand, microparticles (0.5–5 micrometers in size) are more suscep­tible to these flow dynamics. Their adhesion efficiency increases when they have longer residence times in the bloodstream and experience lower slip velocities, especially in pulsatile flows. Regard­less of their shape, microparticles have been shown to adhere more effectively in areas where blood flow is disturbed by shear forces.

5 Various Targeted Drug Delivery Systems

5.1 Application of Exosomes and EVs (Extracellular Vesicles)

There are various drug delivery techniques to the cardiovascular system as described above (Fig. introduced from the exterior of the cell to aid in the transport of active pharmaceutical ingredients can be categorized into three main types: apoptotic bodies, which range in size from
1). Primarily, vesicles that are
Fig. 1 Different techniques of drug delivery to cardiovascular system
Drug Delivery to the Cardiovascular System: Application and Future Prospects 343
Fig. 2 Application of extracellular vesicles in cardiovascular diseases
400 to 2500 nm in radius; ectosomes or microvesicles, with a radius of 50–500 nm; and exosomes, which are the smallest at 15–50 nm in radius. These extracellular vesicles (EVs) play significant patho­physiological roles in various cardiovascular diseases, influencing key processes such as angiogenesis, tissue swelling, and the repair of damaged cardiac tissues (Fig. with a variety of molecules, including nucleic acids and cytokines, which migrate to different cell types, such as immune cells and fibroblasts. This highlights the complex interactions and contribu­tions of EVs in the context of cardiovascular health and disease [
18]. The proteins found on the surface of extracellular vesicles are
also critical for
effective cardiovascular drug delivery. These surface proteins can facilitate interactions between the vesicles and target cells, enhancing the specificity and efficiency of the delivery process. By mediating recognition and binding to specific receptors on target cells, these proteins help ensure that the therapeutic agents carried by the vesicles are delivered accurately to the in of action. This
feature not only improves the therapeutic efficacy of the drugs but also minimizes potential side effects, making the proteins on extracellular vesicles an essential component in the development of advanced drug delivery strategies for cardiovascular applications [
19].
For example, proteins such as CD14, Serpin F2, and G1, along with cystatin C and various microRNAs, have been identified as having functional roles in cardiovascular drug delivery. They can act as “procoagulant” proteins or serve as biomarkers for the detection and treatment of conditions like stroke and heart dysfunction. The significant potential of proteins, lipids, and microRNAs in exo­somes and extracellular vesicles (EVs) to enhance targeted drug delivery to the heart and cardiovascular system has been
2). Their involvement is associated
tended sites
344 Pankaj Kumar Umar et al.
emphasized. Notably, microRNAs like miR-146a and miR-21 have been linked to the progression of various stages of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, plaque buildup in arteries, and heart failure [
The inherent properties and activities of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and exosomes have been the focus of extensive research aimed at uncovering their potential and functions as biotherapeutic agents, especially in the context of cardiovascular diseases. For example, exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells have demonstrated the ability to promote blood vessel regeneration. They play a crucial role in mitigating the damaging effects of free radicals by reducing oxidative stress in the body. This capability not only supports the healing processes within the cardiovascular sys­tem but also highlights the therapeutic promise of using exosomes in treating various cardiovascular conditions. The exploration of these vesicles continues to reveal their multifaceted roles in enhanc­ing vascular health and providing protective effects against oxida­tive damage, paving the way for innovative treatment strategies [
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from cardiac progenitor cells have been demonstrated to enhance blood vessel develop­ment, with their effects mediated by specific metalloproteinase components. Additionally, EVs can be produced by endothelial cells and blood platelets, offering a wide range of beneficial effects for cardiovascular therapy. These effects include promoting angio­genesis, reducing plaque formation, and aiding in the restoration of blood flow or revascularization processes [ attack, or myocardial infarction, the tiny size of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been demonstrated to be advantageous for targeted drug delivery to the swollen myocardium. This effectiveness is largely attributed to the “enhanced permeability and retention” (EPR) effect, which allows these vesicles to penetrate tissues more easily and remain in the targeted area for longer periods. For optimal success in targeted delivery, it is crucial that the biotherapeutic agents incorporated into the EVs do not undergo any changes to their surface characteristics. Maintaining the integrity of the surface ensures that the vesicles can effectively bind to the target cells and deliver their therapeutic payload, enhancing the overall efficacy of the treatment during such critical cardiovascular events [
Extracellular vesicles targeted delivery of therapeutic agents such as microRNAs (miR­NAs) that possess neuroprotective properties, particularly in the context of cardiovascular conditions like stroke. One of the key challenges in treating such ailments is the presence of the blood­brain barrier, which typically restricts the entry of many therapeutic compounds into the brain. However, EVs have the unique ability to cross this barrier, allowing them to deliver miRNAs directly to the affected neural tissues. This targeted delivery not only enhances the
21].
20].
22]. During a heart
.
23]
(EVs) offer significant benefits in the
Drug Delivery to the Cardiovascular System: Application and Future Prospects 345
effectiveness of the treatment but also minimizes potential side effects by ensuring that the therapeutic agents reach the specific areas where they are needed most. By utilizing EVs as carriers, researchers can leverage their natural properties to improve thera­peutic outcomes in stroke patients, thereby opening new avenues for effective treatment strategies [
24]. While enhanced uptake of
drug-carrying vesicles by the liver can diminish the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach, genetically modified extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been demonstrated to help mitigate this issue [
25]. The
drawbacks associated with the intramyocardial delivery method can be
addressed by modifying the surface characteristics of exosomes. These alterations have resulted in improved blood vessel regenera­tion, better retention of exosomes in the hear t, and the promotion of cardiomyocyte propagation. Additionally, the modified exo­somes have been shown to decrease their uptake in the liver, effec­tively overcoming one of the main challenges in cardiovascular d delivery [
26].
rug
5.2 Ultrasound­Mediated Drug Delivery
The primary goal of this method of drug delivery across the cell membrane is to improve the ability of substances to penetrate cells or enhance their permeability. In the context of ultrasound­mediated cardiovascular therapy, there are three key aspects to consider:
1. Cavitation: This phenomenon involves the microbubbles,
which can be either inertial or stable. The result-
oscillation of
ing pulsing action generated by these oscillations helps to propel drugs into blood clots, facilitating their targeted deliv­ery and improving therapeutic outcomes.
2. Radiation Force
from Ultrasound
: This force plays a vital role, particularly in cardiovascular treatments, as it helps to direct microbubbles toward the intended cardiac or cardiovascular tissues. By generating a sustained force, the ultrasound effec­tively guides the microbubbles to the targeted site, enhancing the delivery of therapeutic agents [
3. Sonothrombolysis:
This represents t
27].
he most significant applica­tion of ultrasound combined with microbubble therapy. It involves the non-invasive disintegration of blood clots and the restoration of blood flow through the use of high­frequency ultrasound. This technique can be employed either alone or in conjunction with the cavitation effect of microbub­bles, offering a powerful approach to treating conditions like thrombosis [
28].
Together
, these aspects underscore the potential of ultrasound­mediated therapy to enhance drug delivery and improve outcomes in cardiovascular treatments. The application of sonothrombolysis combined with targeted microbubbles serves two primary
346 Pankaj Kumar Umar et al.
purposes: first, to identify and localize the blood clot, and second, to facilitate its breakdown through ultrasonic-induced cavitation [29]. The effectiveness of the “ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction” (UTMD) ering genes and genetic drugs to cardiac tissues and related organs. For instance, in a mouse model of heart attack, the use of Perflutren for transferring “stem cell factor,” “vascular endothelial growth factor,” and “green fluorescent protein” via UTMD resulted in improved restoration of cardiac tissues and enhanced migration of stem cells to t
The UTMD procedure has shown the capability to increase the engraftment of mesenchymal, cardiac, and endothelial progenitor cells in animal models with reduced sizes. One notable advantage of microbubbles is their ability to carry much higher concentrations of gases compared to standard liquids, a feature that is especially crucial during heart attacks, when cardiac muscles urgently require elevated levels of oxygen [
When i ery in cardiovascular therapy, sonothrombolysis remains a signifi­cant focus, particularly in the treatment of strokes and myocardial infarctions. In the case of strokes, standalone ultrasound interventions—without the use of microbubbles—combined with tissue plasminogen activator have demonstrated positive results. For heart attacks, the healing effects are primarily linked to the ability to restore blood flow in both the epicardium and the myo­cardial microvascular bed [
However, been noted. In advancing drug delivery for cardiovascular therapy, the use of molecular contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been documented for applications within both the heart and the vascular system. Specifically, in the context of the heart, efforts focus on identifying acute inflammatory responses after heart attacks. This is achieved by directing microbubbles toward white blood cells or by modifying the surfaces of microbubbles with ligands that specifically recognize leukocytes [ system, research efforts are focused on the precise monitoring of atherosclerosis progression and endothelial repair by targeting microbubbles to specific markers such as vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), P-selectin, and junction adhesion molecule (JAM-A), among others. One of the primary advantages of the therapeutic molecular contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) pro­cedure is its use of high mechanical index ultrasound, which facil­itates the physical disintegration of thrombi and enhances thrombolysis. This approach is particularly beneficial as it helps to mitigate the hemorrhagic complications that are commonly asso­ciated with existing revascularization techniques. By effectively combining targeted delivery with controlled ultrasound applica­tion, CEUS holds promise for improving the management and
technique has been documented for deliv-
he heart.
30].
omes to utilizing ultrasound for targeted drug deliv-
t c
31]
.
complications following sonothrombolysis have
In the vascular
32].
Drug Delivery to the Cardiovascular System: Application and Future Prospects 347
treatment of vascular conditions while reducing the risks of adverse effects typically seen in traditional methods [
33].
5.3 Magnetic­Responsive Drug Delivery Systems
Magnetic nanoparticles (MagNPs) are already in use in clinical settings. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide both structural and functional insights for diagnosing and validating cardiovascular disease (CVD) through the use of contrast agents made from superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). MagNPs have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for various biomedical applications. These complexes are biocompati­ble and can effectively guide therapeutic agents to specific target sites, enhancing treatment efficacy while allowing for real-time tracking via MRI. The use of magnetic nanoparticles represents an innovative strategy for developing targeted drug delivery systems (DDS), which offer numerous advantageous features [
34].
First and foremost, the magnetic nanoparticle (MagNP) com­plexes that have received clinical approval are designed to be bio­compatible. Given that bare iron oxide can be cytotoxic, researchers have developed a core-shell model for MagNPs, utilizing various materials for the shell, including silicon oxide, liposomes, polyeth­ylene glycol, polyethyleneimine, and derivatives of dextran—all known for their favorable biocompatibility [
35]. The choice of
shell material is crucial, as it significantly influences the final size and geometry of the MagNPs, which in turn affects their distribu­tion throughout the body and their kinetics of cellular uptake. Additionally, it is possible to directly attach negatively charged nucleic acids to the surfaces of MagNPs coated with cationic poly­mers through electrostatic interactions. This capability enhances the versatility of MagNPs in biomedical applications, particularly in targeted drug delivery and gene therapy [
Second, t
he m
agnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles
36].
(MagNPs) enable targeted drug delivery when an external mag­netic field (MF) is applied. For effective site-specific delivery, it is essential for the magnetic field to generate a strong enough attrac­tive force to counteract the hydrodynamic drag that occurs in flowing fluids. While permanent magnets can be used for this purpose, they are limited by their effective range and depth of penetration. To address this limitation, researchers have developed electromagnets and magnetizable stents that can maintain a stron­ger and more consistent magnetic force over greater distances. These innovations enhance the ability to capture and direct MagNPs to specific sites within the body, thereby improving the efficacy of targeted drug delivery systems. By employing these advanced magnetic technologies, the potential for localized treat­ment and better therapeutic outcomes in various medical applica­tions can be significantly enhanced [
37]
.
Third, the targeted accumulation of drugs at the site of interest
facilitates therapeutic treatment at lower doses. This technique,
348 Pankaj Kumar Umar et al.
known as magnetofection, involves combining cells or nucleic acid vectors with magnetic nanoparticles (MagNPs) to accelerate trans­fection rates by magnetically concentrating the therapeutic agents at the desired location. Numerous studies have also shown that the application of an external magnetic field can enhance the penetra­tion of magnetic cells and vectors into tissues, further improving the efficacy of the treatment. This approach not only increases the l
ocalized concentration of therapeutic agents but also reduces the potential for systemic side ef effective drug delivery [
Fourth, the real-time tracking of drugs can be detected and visualized noninvasively through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in live subjects [39].
fects, making it a promising strategy for
38].

5.4 Nanomedicines in Cardiovascular Therapy

5.5 PLGA-Based Nanoparticles

Nanomedicines encompass nanosized particles or specially formu­lated drugs with high surface energy, and they are increasingly employed in cardiovascular (CV) treatments due to their unique properties, such as heightened reactivity, an enhanced ratio of surface area to volume, and improved roughness and wettability
40]. These nanomedicines are utilized in two primary ways for
[ addressing cardiovascular conditions. The first approach involves using nanomedicines as standalone agents to directly activate spe­cific enzymes that can alter cardiovascular metabolic states. This method often employs nanoparticles made from materials like metals, metal oxides, carbon, polymers, and nanocomposites. The second approach focuses on using nanomedicines as carriers to enable regulated and targeted delivery of traditional cardiovascular drugs. In this case, formulations such as polymeric liposomes, micelles, and dendrimers are commonly used. Ongoing research is also exploring the integration of nanocarriers into drug-eluting stents and cardiovascular implants, aiming to enhance the effective­ness of nanomedicine in treating cardiovascular diseases (Fig.
3). By
improving the delivery and action of therapeutic agents, nanome­dicine holds significant promise for advancing cardiovascular
41].
care [
Polymers have been utilized and advanced for application in nano­formulations, which primarily consist of nanoparticles typically measuring less than 300 nanometers in diameter. One notable example is poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a polymer derived from the combination of polylactic acid (PLA), and polyglycolic acid (PGA). PLGA is recognized as an FDA-approved biomaterial
13]. PLGA nanoparticles loaded with pitavastatin can effectively
[ prevent the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques by modulating the recruitment of monocytes to these vascular lesions. Additionally, PLGA nanoparticles have been utilized for delivering the antidia­betic drug pioglitazone, which acts as an agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ). Research has