Iranian scientists propose new approach to treat Wilson's disease

Iranian researchers proposed a new method for the treatment of Wilson's disease.
This research suggested a new nanostructure with high therapeutic ability in cell culture model. The nanostructure consists of a biocompatible polymeric nanocarrier that enables the penetration into the cell without creation of toxicity with high efficiency.
Wilson's disease is caused by genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in liver cells. Excess accumulation of copper and its late treatment has horrible effects on neural system and cornea.
According to Dr. Mehdi Shafi'ee Ardestani, a member of the Scientific Board of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, the aim of the research was to synthesize a new compound to decrease inter-cellular accumulation of copper, which increases the possibility of the treatment of Wilson's disease.
The compound can be produced at reasonable cost and it has the lowest cell toxicity in addition to increasing the chance of treatment. Based on the results, the proposed nanostructure can be used as a powerful option to decrease copper concentration in the cell and a new therapeutic agent in the treatment of Wilson's disease.
"Taking into consideration the effectiveness of the product in the reduction of copper concentration in the cells, further experiments and studies and its optimization may result in the achievement of new therapeutic methods for the treatment of Wilson's disease. Therefore, carrying out studies on animals, precise evaluation of cellular and molecular mechanisms, preparation and human studies can complete the obtained results," Dr. Shafi'ee Ardestani explained about the results.
Results of the research have been published in Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, vol. 11, issue 7, 2014, pp. 908-916.