Drug delivery and adhesion of maanetic nanoparticles coated nanoliposomes and microbubbles to atherosclerotic plagues under magnetic and ultrasound fields

The use of external fields such as magnet and ultrasound to enhance the targeted drug delivery (TDD) by nano-microcarriers could be a potential method. In this research, the drug delivery of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) coated nanoliposomes and microbubbles (MBs) to the atherosclerosis plaque was investigated under magnetic and ultrasound fields in terms of their adhesion to the plaque through ligand-receptor binding. The Halbach arrangement enhanced the surface density of nanoliposomes and MBs adhered to the plaque by similar to 121% and similar to 94%, respectively. A focused transducer at the power of 60W led to better drug delivery performance and caused similar to 67% and similar to 58% enhancement in the surface density of nanoliposomes and MBs adhered to the plaque, respectively. Better drug delivery efficiency was achieved upon using a magnetic field as compared with the ultrasound field. The simultaneous employment of magnetic and ultrasound fields can increase the delivery of nanoliposomes and MBs by similar to 148% and similar to 121%, respectively. The results of this study can broaden our insight on the effects of a magnet (its size, location, and arrangement) and the type of ultrasound transducer on TDD to the carotid artery disease using nanoliposomes and MBs.

Automated summary

The study explores the use of external fields like magnet and ultrasound to enhance targeted drug delivery by nano-microcarriers. Results show that utilizing a magnetic field and ultrasound field simultaneously can significantly increase the delivery of nanoliposomes and microbubbles to atherosclerosis plaque, providing insights for improving drug delivery efficiency.