Russian scientists are developing a drug from donor blood plasma
Scientists of Samara University as part of a research team have established the level of content of macro- and microcomponents important for the body in the preparation from donor blood plasma they are developing. According to them, such a domestically produced drug is an urgent need for Russian medicine. The results were presented at the IV All-Russian Conference on Analytical Spectroscopy.
Plasma is a liquid part of blood, which is necessary for the movement of its other elements and makes up more than half of the blood volume in the body. Plasma consists of biological macromolecules - proteins of different types, enzymes and lipids, and also contains nutrients of organic and inorganic nature.
For clinical use, plasma is obtained by fractionation: under the action of centrifugal forces, blood cells are separated from the fluid and precipitated. Processed plasma is used for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, diseases of the circulatory system, to combat various neoplasms and genetic pathologies, experts explained. Such preparations are also indispensable in a number of emergency situations.
According to experts, today the country's healthcare needs for blood plasma preparations are only 10% satisfied. To solve this problem, researchers at the Samara National Research University named after Academician S.P. Korolev (Samara University) and the Samara Regional Clinical Blood Transfusion Station are developing new domestic preparations from donor plasma.
"The key task in the development of such drugs is to accurately determine the content and influence of not only target but also non-target components, such as ions and trace elements, which also have a significant impact on the body," said Igor Platonov, dean of Samara University's Faculty of Physics.
In the course of their work, the scientists found that the drug under development contains essential ions that are important for health: the balance of sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride ions ensures normal cell metabolism and regulation of the acidity level of body fluids, as well as water transport between blood vessels and tissues.
Microelements of the new drug, as explained by the creators, participate in the structure-forming processes of cells and tissues, provide metabolic processes, are part of enzymes and transport proteins, ensure the strength of teeth and bones, the work of muscles, heart, nervous system.
According to the scientists, further work with the drug will be related to determining the amount of amino acids and peptides it contains.