A Glimpse On Liposome And Its Functions

By Danielle Galloway


Medical science is constantly evolving. Through the years, it continues to look for solutions and treatments for various medical diseases. One of the remarkable discoveries that science stumbled into is the liposome. This is a recent breakthrough that is believed to be potent in treating many medical malfunctions. It is also used to help administer drugs more efficiently and increase the success rate of organ transplant among other functions.

Liposomes are microscopic vesicles that are developed in a laboratory. These are made from phospholipids that may be produced naturally or extracted from other sources. The outer wall of the liposome is composed of lipids that are similar to the composition of cell walls. Hence, the liposomes can directly interact with the cells. These tiny, spheroid bubbles typically have a watery core.

This structure is most popular for its function to help in drug administration. With its unique property, the vesicles can deliver the drugs to specific parts of the patient's body using the process of diffusion. This property is essential in transporting biological agents, such as antibodies, to specific tissues. Its bi-layered membranes also allow carriage of hydrophobic drugs.

Moreover, this can extend the delivery time of the administered drugs. The bi-layered sphere slowly releases the drugs in interval over a period of time. This is hypothetically believed to help reduce side-effects since the direct impact of the applied medications are limited only to the affected tissues. This also means that the efficiency of the drugs is maximized.

The structure is considered a natural treatment to cancer, too. The vesicle has the ability to target cancer cells. It can also slip right into the tumor by following the blood flow. Liposomes are small in size, so it does not stray away from the bloodstream. Not to mention its composition that is closely similar to blood vessels, which are trapped inside the endothelial wall. In contrast, cancer cells are leaky in nature. It lets through even the small particles to escape.

Autoimmune diseases may also be combated by using the spheroids. In a transplant surgery, the body usually identifies the newly harvested organ to be a foreign entity. The body's natural protection, the immune system, may attack the organ in an attempt to prevent possible infestation. This could lead to transplant rejection. The artificial lipid is used to suppress the function of the immune system and slow down its progress.

However, this drug vessel is not spontaneously produced. There are many different methods to create the vesicles depending on its function and purpose. The methods of dissemination and the conditions in which it will be released must be taken into account. The type of material to be transported determines how the structure is created.

These vesicles come in various sizes. The vessels are typically small for the white blood cells to easily engulf the bubbles before the drug it carries can be released. Prior to its production, the size and numbers of vesicles to be created have to be determined. Possibilities of reproduction must also be anticipated.

The only possible disadvantage with liposome is the cost of producing it. Mass production is not currently feasible because the vessels do not last long following its creation. Stability may also be an issue. On occasion, the drugs may be mixed unintentionally. Other than that, this is a promising breakthrough.




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