Systematic review: the applications of nanotechnology in gastroenterology

Summary Background Over the past 30 years, nanotechnology has evolved dramatically. It has captured the interest of variety of fields from computing and electronics to biology and medicine. Recent discoveries have made invaluable changes to future prospects in nanomedicine; and introduced the concep...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2012-08, Vol.36 (3), p.213-221
Main Authors: Brakmane, G., Winslet, M., Seifalian, A. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Diagnostic Imaging - methods
Digestive system
Drug Delivery Systems - methods
Gastroenterology - methods
Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen
Humans
Medical sciences
Nanoparticles - administration & dosage
Nanotechnology - methods
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Regenerative Medicine - methods
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Summary:Summary Background Over the past 30 years, nanotechnology has evolved dramatically. It has captured the interest of variety of fields from computing and electronics to biology and medicine. Recent discoveries have made invaluable changes to future prospects in nanomedicine; and introduced the concept of theranostics. This term offers a patient specific ‘two in one’ modality that comprises of diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Not only nanotechnology has shown great impact on improvements in drug delivery and imaging techniques, but also there have been several ground‐breaking discoveries in regenerative medicine. Aim Gastroenterology invites multidisciplinary approach owing to high complexity of gastrointestinal (GI) system; it includes physicians, surgeons, radiologists, pharmacologists and many more. In this article, we concentrate on current developments in nano‐gastroenterology. Methods Literature search was performed using Web of Science and Pubmed search engines with terms – nanotechnology, nanomedicine and gastroenterology. Article search was concentrated on developments since 2005. Results We have described original and innovative approaches in gastrointestinal drug delivery, inflammatory disease and cancer‐target treatments. Here, we have reviewed advances in GI imaging using nanoparticles as fluorescent contrast, and their potential for site‐specific targeting. This review has also depicted various approaches and novel discoveries in GI regenerative medicine using nanomaterials for scaffold designs and induced pluripotent stem cells as cell source. Conclusions Developments in nanotechnology have opened new range of possibilities to help our patients. This includes novel drug delivery vehicles, diagnostic tools for early and targeted disease detection and nanocomposite materials for tissue constructs to overcome cosmetic or physical disabilities.
ISSN:0269-2813
1365-2036
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2012.05179.x