Colloidal gold nanoparticles create a dispersion of gold that does not readily separate out into components. By creating an electron dense surface in suspension, gold nanoparticles are used as drugs, drug carriers and biological labels. Favorable attributes of gold nanoparticles for therapies include ease of synthesis, functionalization, and shape control so further future use of gold nanoparticles is likely. For example, gold nanoparticles can accumulate in tumors (possibly due to their leaky vasculature) more than in normal cells allowing gold nanopaticples to be used as contrast agents for enhanced imaging and in conjunction with X-radiation to increase the radiation dose in cancer cells. Nano-gold has therapeutic effects for rheumatoid arthritis because gold is anti-inflammatory. That is it interferes with immune system cells including those in abnormal disease states that can cause swelling and pain possibly helping to break a chronic cycle of damage and inflammation. Its therapeutic use is somewhat restricted by various side effects that cause damage to kidneys or blood cells such as platelets.

One of the many papers on the action of nano particles (here gold) in therapy application

-still in the research state- is here:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1477-3155-6-2.pdf

Regards

FV

Burmester GR: Molecular mechanisms of action of gold in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis--an update. Z Rheumatol 2001, 60:167–173.

Dr. Frank VolkeCan you get me this article ?

Colloidal gold nanoparticles create a dispersion of gold that does not readily separate out into components. By creating an electron dense surface in suspension, gold nanoparticles are used as drugs, drug carriers and biological labels. Favorable attributes of gold nanoparticles for therapies include ease of synthesis, functionalization, and shape control so further future use of gold nanoparticles is likely. For example, gold nanoparticles can accumulate in tumors (possibly due to their leaky vasculature) more than in normal cells allowing gold nanopaticples to be used as contrast agents for enhanced imaging and in conjunction with X-radiation to increase the radiation dose in cancer cells. Nano-gold has therapeutic effects for rheumatoid arthritis because gold is anti-inflammatory. That is it interferes with immune system cells including those in abnormal disease states that can cause swelling and pain possibly helping to break a chronic cycle of damage and inflammation. Its therapeutic use is somewhat restricted by various side effects that cause damage to kidneys or blood cells such as platelets.

Please find that very paper here

Regards FV

One mechanism of nano-gold anti-rheumatic effects evidently involves blocking intracellular HMGB1 transport from the nucleus. Inside the nucleus, HMGB1 acts in transcription. If released from the cell by normal processes or cell death, HMGB1 stimulates the immune system and enhances inflammation. As gold blocks HMGB1 release from the nucleus, it reduces the amount of HMGB1 available to provoke the inflammatory response (see JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY 83: 31-38, 2008).