Seeing the benefits of nanoceria

An unlikely candidate could be used to treat various eye disorders and other diseases, according to research to be published in the November issue of Nature Nanotechnology.

This compound, cerium oxide, is routinely used in automobile exhaust systems and for polishing glass and jewellery.James McGinnis and co-workers injected the eyes of rats with cerium oxide nanoparticles and found that these can protect the retina against exposure to damaging levels of illumination. If injected after exposure, they also assisted recovery. This is because the nanoparticles neutralize the effects of compounds known as reactive oxygen intermediates - ROIs - although the mechanism underlying this process remains unclear.The results indicate that cerium oxide nanoparticles may be effective in inhibiting cell death caused by ROIs, which is thought to be involved in various medical conditions affecting the eye, such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The authors speculate that the particles might also be effective in treating a range of other degenerative diseases involving ROIs, including diabetes, Alzheimer's and strokes.(Source: Nature Nanotechnology : University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Centre : November 2006.)