Have you ever been baffled by the term “blood thinner?” It’s a name for medicines used to prevent blood clots from forming or growing.
They’re a lifesaver for people who’ve had surgery or have blood clotting disorders. Now, scientists at Penn State have discovered a way to make these blood thinners work even better.
What’s the Problem with Blood Thinners?
Heparin is one type of blood thinner that’s been around for a while. But here’s the thing: it’s really tricky to get the dose right.
If you take too much, you could bleed too easily. If you take too little, it won’t prevent blood clots. It’s a tricky balance.
The Brilliant Solution
The scientists at Penn State decided to try something new. They mixed heparin with a tiny piece of a protein, called a peptide.
This combo slows down how quickly the heparin is released into the body and targets it straight to where the blood clots are.
When they mix the peptide (which is positively charged) with the heparin (which is negatively charged), it creates a kind of paste.
They can inject this paste just under the skin. It then travels around in the bloodstream, ready to jump into action when a blood clot forms.
How Does It Work?
Normally, heparin works everywhere in the body, not just where the blood clots are. It also gets used up pretty quickly (usually within 60 to 90 minutes).
But the scientists found that adding the peptide to heparin increases how long it works in the body to nearly 24 hours. That’s over ten times longer than usual!
This means that patients could potentially get their dose of heparin just once a day, rather than needing a constant IV drip. It also means less waste and more accurate dosing.
What’s Next?
The researchers have only tested this in animals so far. Next, they need to try it in humans and see what happens. They also need to look at whether giving the medicine for several days might cause any side effects.
Keep on Learning
It’s amazing how science keeps finding new ways to improve our health.
If you’re interested in learning more, have a look at these other studies about the causes of heart failure and how certain high blood pressure drugs might affect your brain.
You can also find out how the Mediterranean diet could help your brain stay healthy and when is the best time to take your vitamins to keep your heart healthy.
The study we’ve been talking about was conducted by Scott Medina and his team and was published in the journal Small.
It’s a great example of how scientists are working hard to improve our lives. So keep eating your fish, taking your vitamins, and staying informed about the latest health breakthroughs!
If you care about stroke, please read studies about a breakfast linked to better blood vessel health, and olive oil could help lower risks of heart disease and stroke.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and wild blueberries can benefit your heart and brain.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
