New Atherosclerosis treatment using DHA liposomes
- October 18, 2023
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Every day, a third of deaths in Singapore result from heart disease and stroke, primarily caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis involves the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other substances, obstructing blood vessels and impeding oxygen delivery. Assistant Professor Jiong-Wei WANG and Professor Gerrit Storm from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, along with iHealthtech Associate Professor Glenn Bonney, have explored the use of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid known to influence cell membrane fluidity and permeability.
Their investigation focuses on the direct delivery of DHA into the bloodstream via DHA liposomes, as the traditional oral consumption of DHA is known for its poor absorption by the gut. Preliminary findings from their work show promising results in mitigating the accumulation of fatty deposits within arteries. This innovative approach has the potential to substantially reduce the required oral dosage of DHA by a factor of 40,000 to 400,000.
The team’s research is now poised to transition to the next phase, involving clinical trials to assess the impact of injected DHA liposomes on patients. This critical step aims to unveil the effects and benefits of this novel intervention in real-world medical scenarios.
