Understanding The Use And Significance Of Liposome

By Danielle Galloway


Over the years, medical science has been continuously evolving to accommodate any changes in the medical landscape. It does not cease from looking for solutions and treatments of various diseases. The discovery of liposome is among the most remarkable breakthroughs in the industry. This is used to aid drug intake to enhance its efficiency, increase success rate in organ transplant surgery and treat several medical malfunctions.

Liposomes are microscopical vesicles developed in an artificial environment like a laboratory. These are composed of phospholipids that are naturally produced or extracted from another source. Its outer wall has similar composition to that of a cell wall. This allows direct interaction between the cells and the liposomes. These tiny, spheroid-shaped bubbles are typically watery in its 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.

The spheroid bubbles can also extend the delivery time for the drugs while keeping its potency. The bi-layered bubble slowly releases the drugs over a span of time. Thus, side-effects may be reduced. Since the vesicle only releases the medication to the affected tissues, it can also help maximize the effects of the drugs.

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.

This can also help fight autoimmune diseases. In most transplant surgeries, the body initially identifies the newly transplanted organ as a foreign object. As a result, the immune system will try to attack it as the body's natural reaction to protect itself from infestation. This can lead to the body's rejection of the harvested organ. The artificial lipid can help suppress the immune system to slow down its progression.

The vesicles are not spontaneously produced, though. There are various methods used to create these drug vessels according to its function and purpose. Its method of dissemination must be considered as well as the type of materials that will be transported.

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.

One reservation for medical practitioners regarding this extremely useful breakthrough is its production costs. Mass production is currently unavailable since the vessels cannot last long after its creation. There has been cases of instability and unintentional mixture of drugs as well. Other than that, liposome is definitely a promising discovery.




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