Will carbon nanotube/nanofiber bring new hope for the treatment of heart damage? A systematic review

Abstract

Aim: Despite scientific advances, the number of cardiovascular patients is increasing worldwide. To protect damaged cardiomyocytes from further harm, novel and safer approaches are needed to help regeneration and prevent fibrosis. Methods: In this study, we performed a systematic review of in vitro and preclinical studies of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) for help to treat heart damage. Conclusion: CNTs/CNFs in hydrogels cause higher conductivity, and the in case of alignment this increase is more than the random state. CNTs/CNFs can improve structural specification of the hydrogel for cardiac cell proliferation and enhance expression of genes associated with final differentiation of various stem cells to cardiac cells.