Innovative nanotools for vascular drug delivery: the atherosclerosis case study
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Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Osmotic Drug Delivery to Ischemic Hindlimbs and Perfusion of Vasculature with Microfil for Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging
Published on: June 29, 2013
Giulia De Negri Atanasio1, Pier Francesco Ferrari2, Roberta Campardelli3
1Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, via Leon Battista Alberti, 2, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
Insights
Nanotechnology offers promising new approaches for diagnosing and treating atherosclerosis, a common cardiovascular disease. This review critically analyzes innovative nanotechnological strategies to overcome current treatment limitations.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanomedicine
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, are a leading cause of mortality globally.
- Modern lifestyles (sedentary habits, high-fat diets, smoking) contribute to the high prevalence of atherosclerosis.
- Current non-specific treatments for vascular pathologies have limitations including poor biodistribution, rapid elimination, and side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically analyze recent advancements in nanotechnology for atherosclerosis therapy and diagnosis.
- To explore innovative nanotechnological approaches to overcome limitations of current treatments.
- To provide an overview of the potential of nanotechnology in managing vascular pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent publications on nanotechnology in atherosclerosis.
- Critical analysis of reported results regarding diagnostic and therapeutic nanotechnologies.
- Synthesis of information on novel nanomedical strategies.
Main Results:
- Nanotechnology presents significant potential for targeted therapy and improved diagnosis of atherosclerosis.
- Emerging nanotechnologies show promise in enhancing drug delivery and reducing side effects.
- Innovative approaches are being developed to improve biodistribution and efficacy of treatments.
Conclusions:
- Nanotechnology is a rapidly advancing field with great potential to revolutionize atherosclerosis management.
- Further research and development in nanomedicine are crucial for clinical translation.
- Nanotechnology-based strategies offer a promising future for treating vascular pathologies.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the Western world. Among them, atherosclerosis represents one of the most common diseases in the modern society due to a common sedentary lifestyle, high-fat diet, and smoking. In the near future, a new approach could potentially improve the therapy of vascular pathologies, where to date the non-specific treatments present several limitations, such as poor biodistribution, quick elimination from the body, and undesired side-effects. In this field, nanotechnology has a great potential for the therapy and diagnosis of atherosclerosis with more and more recent and innovative publications. This review is a critical analysis of the results reported in the literature regarding the different and possible new approaches for the therapy and diagnosis of atherosclerosis.

