Scientists demonstrate the use of ultrasound to alter the inflammatory and metabolic response

Bioelectronic medicine teams at GE Research and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have developed revolutionary noninvasive methods for the regulation of dysfunctional metabolic or inflammatory body control systems using ultrasound. The results were reported in this week's edition of Nature Communications. This article follows a medical first from the Feinstein Institute and GE Research that helped understand what nerves say about inflammation in the body.

Bioelectronics combines neuroscience, molecular biology and bioengineering to tap into the nervous system to treat diseases and injuries without the use of pharmaceuticals. Published research in bioelectronic medicine has shown that implanted devices stimulate the nerves to achieve a therapeutic result. This latest article discusses the use of a noninvasive ultrasound technique to very precisely stimulate nerve characteristics directly in the target organs.

"We discovered that by using ultrasound in a very specific and targeted way, we could reduce inflammatory markers and alter metabolism," said Chris Puleo, GE's biomedical engineer and co-author of the book. Nature Communications article. "In our studies, we show that applying ultrasound to a specific target of the spleen alters inflammatory markers that can cause arthritis, IBD and other ailments." And targeting a specific part of the liver, we have been able to modulate blood sugar. "

"Major advances in understanding the immune system have ushered in the new field of bioelectronic medicine, using nerve-targeting devices to replace drugs." Bio-non-invasive treatments have been limited to the present, "said Kevin. J. Tracey, MD, Chairman of the Feinstein Board of Directors. Institute and co-author on paper. "The potential of ultrasound devices to target specific reflex neural pathways to block inflammation represents a major contribution to the field."

"What's exciting is that we have demonstrated the use of ultrasound as a potential non-invasive alternative to current therapies, which could lead to revolutionary new methods of treating various diseases," said Victoria Cotero , GE biologist and co-author of the manuscript.

In the future, further preclinical studies will be needed to understand the full potential and effects of these new ultrasound stimulation methods. In addition, human trials will be required to develop and validate these methods for potential future medical applications.

Provided by
Feinstein Institute of Northwell Health for Medical Research