Gold Nanoparticle-Based Therapy for Muscle Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species are released after muscle damage, and although they are necessary for the muscle regeneration process, an excess of these substances leads to the destruction of biomolecules and impairment of the repair system. Several drugs have emerged in recent years to control the muscle inflammatory response, and studies have shown that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This review reveals the effects of AuNPs on the inflammatory and redox mechanisms of muscles. We assessed the results of several studies published in different journals over the last 20 years, with a focus on the effects of AuNPs on possible aspects of muscle regeneration or recovery, namely, inflammatory processes and redox system mechanisms. A systematic database search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Bireme, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify peer-reviewed studies from the 2000s. Combinations of keywords related to muscle damage, regeneration or repair, AuNPs, oxidative stress, and antioxidants were used in the search. This review did not address other variables, such as specific diseases or other biological effects; however, these variables should be considered for a complete understanding of the effects of AuNPs on skeletal muscles.

Keywords:

• gold nanoparticles
• redox homeostasis
• antioxidant
• muscle regeneration
• inflammation
• nanomaterials
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (Brazil), the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (Brazil), and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Brazil) for their support in the studies cited in this manuscript.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, such as in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; participated in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (grant number 307669/2019-0).