Local delivery of gaseous signaling molecules for orthopedic disease therapy

Over the past decade, a proliferation of research has used nanoparticles to deliver gaseous signaling molecules for medical purposes. The discovery and revelation of the role of gaseous signaling molecules have been accompanied by nanoparticle therapies for their local delivery. While most of them have been applied in oncology, recent advances have demonstrated their considerable potential in diagnosing and treating orthopedic diseases. Three of the currently recognized gaseous signaling molecules, nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), are highlighted in this review along with their distinctive biological functions and roles in orthopedic diseases. Moreover, this review summarizes the progress in therapeutic development over the past ten years with a deeper discussion of unresolved issues and potential clinical applications.