Cow’s Milk Particles Reveal Medical Mystery

A recent study reveals that cow’s milk contains nanoparticles capable of delivering RNA therapy orally, offering a promising avenue for more accessible treatments. This discovery is particularly significant as current RNA-based drugs necessitate injection, limiting their accessibility and affordability.

Converting injectable medications into oral formulations presents a significant challenge for researchers due to the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, which often impairs drug absorption and effectiveness, a phenomenon known as poor bioavailability.

RNA therapeutics, a type of drug that falls into this category, utilizes RNA molecules to influence the expression and function of target molecules, thereby modifying biological pathways to treat or cure various conditions. This approach is especially valuable for treating diseases that are resistant to conventional drug therapies.

Exploring the Potential of Cow’s Milk Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) for Oral RNA Therapy Delivery

Recent research conducted at King’s College London suggests that biological nanoparticles present in cow’s milk, known as extracellular vesicles (EV), could offer a viable method for orally administering crucial RNA therapies.

Driton Vllasaliu, the corresponding author of the study and a senior lecturer in pharmaceutics at King’s College London’s School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, highlighted the importance of oral drug administration, citing its widespread acceptance, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

He emphasized that delivering “biological” drugs like RNA therapies orally has long been considered a significant challenge but noted that the study’s findings indicate the potential for oral delivery of RNA drugs using milk EV-based technology.

The study investigated using extracellular vesicles (EVs) from cow’s milk (mEVs) as a drug delivery system for gastrointestinal issues. These EVs, crucial for cell communication, transport RNA and other cargo across biological barriers.

Tested in realistic organoid models of human intestines, mEVs were found to cross the intestinal wall. Loaded with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-a) RNA, mEVs were administered to rats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), effectively reducing colon inflammation compared to control groups.

Colon Improvement Indicative of Successful RNA Delivery

The observed colon improvement in the treated group indicates that mEVs effectively delivered functional anti-TNF-a RNA cargo, reducing inflammation and facilitating colon wall repair. While the study focused on the impact of RNA-loaded mEVs on IBD, researchers suggest their potential for treating various diseases, including heart conditions and diabetes, through orally administered therapeutics.

“This could revolutionize the production of affordable and accessible oral nucleic acid therapies for numerous diseases, resulting in significant societal benefits,” remarked Vllasaliu.

Furthermore, given the widespread exposure to cow milk EVs, adverse immune reactions are unlikely compared to the synthetic nanoparticles currently used for RNA therapy via injection.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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