Electrospinning Machine | Exercise-Induced Stimulation of Self-Powered Nanofibers for Aspirin/Lysine Delivery in the Prevention of Denervated Muscle Atrophy

Challenge: Denervation-induced muscle atrophy leads to a 40%-50% reduction in muscle fiber size within 2 weeks, negatively impacting muscle mass and function. Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce muscle atrophy by 20%, but their bioavailability and gastrointestinal side effects raise concerns. Furthermore, multiple intramuscular injections are challenging for patients due to tolerance issues and the discomfort caused by high doses.
Method: Professor Hu Jinlian from City University of Hong Kong proposed a self-powered gelatin nanofiber membrane (NFM) designed for the sustained release of aspirin/lysine, an NSAID. This method eliminates the need for repeated injections and directly targets inflammatory factors and superoxide in denervated muscle.
Innovation 1: This nanofiber membrane can increase muscle weight by 44% and improve functional capacity in daily activities. Although the nanofiber membrane requires implantation, its self-powered stimulation function helps improve muscle mass and further promotes drug release. Motion-induced stimulation enables intelligent control of drug delivery through the self-powered nanofibers.
Innovation 2: Transcriptome studies confirmed that the nanofiber membrane regulates muscle angiogenesis by suppressing the renin-angiotensin signaling pathway; moreover, the addition of aspirin/lysine further enhances its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c07846