According to a report from Xinhua News Agency, on March 7th, Tianjin University announced that Professor Chang Jin from the School of Life Sciences, in collaboration with Deputy Researcher Dou Yan from Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, has successfully developed gender-specific nanomedicine for female Alzheimer's disease patients. This breakthrough holds promise for personalized treatment for female patients. The relevant findings have been published in the prestigious international journal "Today's Nanotechnology".
Illustration of Novel Nanomedicine for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment in Women (Image courtesy of Tianjin University)
Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder, typically characterized by progressive deterioration in memory and cognitive function. Currently, there are millions of Alzheimer's patients worldwide. Research indicates a significant gender disparity in the development of this disease, with it being more prevalent in women who also experience a progression rate and mortality rate 2 to 3 times higher than men.
What contributes to this susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease in women? Studies suggest that the substantial decrease in estrogen levels after menopause in women may be a significant factor in increasing the risk of developing the disease. Estrogen plays a crucial role in protecting the central nervous system in women, promoting neuronal growth and differentiation, and maintaining oxidative-reductive balance in the brain through its interaction with specific estrogen receptors. Once women enter menopause, the absence of this crucial central nervous system "guardian" estrogen over the long term can promote neurodegenerative changes, accelerating the decline in cognitive function. Currently, there are no gender-specific treatment methods for Alzheimer's disease.
Professor Chang Jin from the School of Life Sciences at Tianjin University, in collaboration with Associate Researcher Dou Yan from Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, has developed a multifunctional nanomedicine based on the plant estrogen glycyrrhetinic acid, specifically targeting postmenopausal women with Alzheimer's disease. This nanomedicine can activate to a certain extent the neuroprotective signaling pathway mediated by specific estrogen receptors, significantly ameliorating oxidative stress, cholinergic abnormalities, neuronal damage, and synaptic dysfunction caused by estrogen deficiency.
"Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis is complex. We have currently developed a series of 9 nanomedicines for Alzheimer's disease treatment, published 8 high-level academic papers, obtained 4 authorized national invention patents, and disclosed 1 PCT international patent. We are also in discussions with pharmaceutical companies to select more precise nanomedicines for preclinical studies," Professor Chang Jin explained. "In the future, developing more precise drug delivery methods will be crucial for maximizing therapeutic efficacy, which is also our next research direction. We strive to lay a solid foundation for the genuine application of nanomedicines in patient treatment." (End)
