Targeted lipolysis for obesity treatment: Cold atmospheric plasma-responsive nanoparticles amplify reactive oxygen...

Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of excess fat within adipocytes, leading to various metabolic complications. Photodynamic therapy has shown promise as an anti-obesity treatment due to its ability to induce lipolysis in the presence of a photosensitizer. However, the emerging use of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) offers a promising alternative to photodynamic therapy, as it generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) without the need for a photosensitizer. Despite this potential, the therapeutic application of CAP is limited by its shallow penetration depth and the short-lived nature of ROS, which results in minimal lipolytic effects in vivo. In this study, we developed a novel CAP-responsive lipid nanoparticle designed to amplify ROS generation within adipose tissue. These nanoparticles effectively increase intracellular ROS levels in adipocytes, thereby enhancing lipolysis. In a high-fat diet mouse model, local treatment with CAP, combined with our ROS-amplifying nanoparticles, led to a significant reduction in body weight, demonstrating the potential of this approach for obesity treatment. In conclusion, our study introduces a ROS-amplifying nanoplatform that enhances the efficacy of CAP for anti-obesity therapy, offering a targeted and effective strategy for reducing excessive adipose tissue accumulation. This innovative approach holds promise for overcoming the limitations of current CAP treatments and advancing the field of obesity management.