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Research shows that a revolutionary nanomaterial with enormous potential to solve global problems can be further developed without posing a serious risk to human health. Research shows that
Research shows that a revolutionary nanomaterial with enormous potential to solve global problems can be further developed without posing a serious risk to human health. Research shows that a revolutionary nanomaterial with enormous potential to solve global problems can be further developed without posing a serious risk to human health.
A study shows that carefully controlled inhalation of a certain type of graphene, the world’s thinnest, superstrong and superflexible material, has no short-term adverse effects on lung or cardiovascular function.
The first controlled human clinical trial was conducted using thin, ultrapure graphene oxide, a water-compatible form of the material. More studies are needed to see whether higher doses of this material, graphene oxide, or other forms of graphene would have a different effect, the researchers say. The team also wants to learn whether long-term exposure to this material, which is thousands of times thinner than a human hair, could pose additional health risks.
There has been a surge of interest in the development of graphene, a material first isolated by scientists in 2004 and hailed as a “wonder” material. Possible applications include electronics, phone screens, clothing, paints and water purification. Graphene is being actively researched worldwide in the form of implantable devices and sensors, as well as targeted therapy against cancer and other diseases. However, all nanomaterials need to be tested for possible side effects before being used for medical purposes.
Researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Manchester recruited 14 volunteers to take part in the study under carefully controlled conditions of exposure and clinical monitoring. Volunteers inhaled the material through a mask for two hours while cycling in a specially designed mobile exposure chamber brought to Edinburgh from the National Institute of Public Health in the Netherlands.
Effects on lung function, blood pressure, blood clotting and blood inflammation were measured before exposure and at two-hour intervals. After a few weeks, the volunteers were asked to return to the clinic for controlled exposure to different sizes of graphene oxide or fresh air for comparison.
No adverse effects were seen on lung function, blood pressure, or most other biological parameters examined. The researchers noted a small suggestion that inhaling the substance might affect blood clotting, but emphasized that the effect was very small.
Dr. from the Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Edinburgh. Mark Miller said: “Nanomaterials such as graphene show great promise, but we need to make sure they are made safely before they can be used more widely in our lives . . .
“Being able to test the safety of this unique material on human volunteers is a major step forward in our understanding of how graphene can affect the body. Thanks to careful design, we can safely exploit nanotechnology to its fullest.”
Professor Costas Costarelos, from the University of Manchester and the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) in Barcelona, said: “This is the first controlled study to show that in healthy humans very pure forms of graphene oxide – a graphene oxide of a certain size distribution and surface pattern – can be developed to minimize the risk to human health.
“It took us more than 10 years to bring together world-leading experts to gain the knowledge to conduct this study from a materials and biological science perspective, as well as the clinical ability to safely conduct such controlled studies in this field.”
Professor Brian Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Finding that this type of graphene can be developed safely with minimal short-term side effects could open the door to new device development, treatment innovation and monitoring techniques.
“We look forward to larger studies over a longer period of time to better understand how we can safely use nanomaterials such as graphene to make a leap forward in delivering life-saving medicines to patients.”
Source: Port Altele
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