POLYMER COATED ORGANS

 POLYMER COATED ORGANS

  

INTRODUCTION : 

Organ is a group of tissues in a living organism which perform a specific function. These organs may sometimes become defective and need to be replaced with a healthier one by a process known as Transplantation. The person who donates the organ is called a Donor and the patient receiving it is called a Recipient. 

During Transplantation, there is a huge risk that the transplanted organ may face rejection or inflammation by the Recipient’s immune system. This can ultimately lead to transplant failure or death of the patient. 

DISCOVERY : 

Recently, a team of Researchers led by Dr.Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu at Canada’s University of British Columbia have discovered a technique through which organ rejection could be reduced during Tranplantation. They developed a biocompatible polymer which can be used to overcoat the bloodvessels of the transplanting organ.This experiment was first conducted on a mouse, who received transplanted kidneys successfully from a donor. This result is a milestone in the history of Medicine as it paves the way for safer organ transplant in humans. 

Whenever an organ is transplanted into the body, the immune system treats it as a foreign object and starts attacking it which leads to organ rejection. In order to prevent rejection, drugs are given to the patient which tend to show severe side effects. With the development of Polymer coated organs, such types of drugs also can be avoided. 

 

MECHANISM OF ACTION : 

The reaction of the Immune System over the body organ is generally prevented by a sugar that overcoats the bloodvessels of any organ. But when the organ is to be transplanted, the overcoat is destroyed which leads to attack by the immune system. The Researches mimicked the same kind of special sugar overcoat with the help of a polymer which can be chemically applied to the blood vessels, and helps in shielding the organs from rejection by the immune system. 

ADVANTAGES : 

• Strong and long-term resistance against Organ Rejection 

• Easily adaptible by the body 

• Helpful in case of last stage of organ failures 

• Replaces the use of drugs to prevent rejection 

• Maximizes life span and quality of transplanted organ 

CONCLUSION : 

While it may still take several years for the clinical trials to begin in Human Beings, this discovery can lead to a safer and quality life with minimal chances of failure of organ transplant. Also, since the organs can be stored efficiently for a longer duration in this way, there is a  possibility for more studies and eventually leading to newer discoveries in the field of Medicine. 

 

REFERENCES : 

• www.techthroughfare.com 

• www.newatlas.com 

 

                

                   

                   

Dr.Neharika 

BDS 

                                                             Clinosol ID –167/0821