A group of scientists in South Korea have created a special gel, enriched with gold particles, which promises to revolutionize the treatment of muscle injuries. Injected into the injured area, this gel helps the body rebuild lost muscles, using the electrical conductivity of gold to improve the regeneration process. A significant step forward for those who face long and difficult rehabilitation paths after serious injuries.
The challenge of muscle recovery
Muscle loss, known as volumetric muscle loss, is a serious problem, especially after serious injuries such as car accidents or wartime injuries.
Traditional rehabilitation techniques, such as the use of robotic exoskeletons, they can strengthen remaining muscles, but often fail to recover lost muscle and nerve tissue. In this scenario, the use of electrical stimulation has shown some advantages, but existing devices are often rigid and difficult to place correctly.
An innovative gel for muscle regeneration
The researchers ofInstitute of Basic Science in South Korea they have developed an electrically conductive hydrogel, which can be injected directly into the injury site.
The key element of this gel is hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally present in the body that promotes tissue regeneration. The addition of gold nanoparticles makes the gel conductive, allowing direct electrical stimulation at the exact site of the lesion. If you want to learn more, find the study here.
How the “golden” gel works on muscles
The gel is designed to be mechanically robust and maintains its shape once injected into muscle tissue. Its ability to conduct electricity allows doctors to apply electrical stimulation to promote muscle regeneration.
The gel then dissolves on its own, eliminating the need for surgery to remove it.
To test its effectiveness, the researchers removed part of the muscles from the hind legs of some rats and then injected the gel into some of them. Three days later, the rats were placed on a treadmill and connected via wires to a robotic system. The system received nerve signals and physically aided movement, like an exoskeleton. Compared to untreated rats, those treated with the gel showed an earlier ability to walk and accelerated muscle regeneration.
Towards clinical applications
Although the results in animal models are promising, further studies need to be conducted in larger animals to better understand the effectiveness of the gel in large, more human-like muscle injuries. The research team is also exploring ways to provide stimulation without the use of wires, making the treatment more convenient and less invasive.
The innovative approach of combining a conductive hydrogel with electrical stimulation offers new hope for treating serious muscle injuries. The gel's ability to propagate electrical impulses and assist in movement just three days after injury highlights game-changing potential. For people suffering from serious muscle injuries, this technology could not only improve quality of life, but also reduce the negative effects of the injury by breaking the “use it or lose it” cycle.
I can't wait to see this "run" in the legs of many recovered patients.
