Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Long-Lasting UCPPS Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) are limited in efficacy, duration, and often come with adverse effects, necessitating a more effective and safer alternative.

Innovation Solution

Administration of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) to address oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing pain and urinary frequency by scavenging reactive oxygen species and modulating inflammatory factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) is used to treat UCPPS, then pain relief is achieved, but the risk of bruising and bleeding increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain reliefVSAvoidbruising and bleeding risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cerium oxide nanoparticles as an intermediary substance that acts through a different mechanism (oxidative stress reduction) compared to PPS (proteoglycan aggregation). This intermediary approach provides pain relief without interfering with blood coagulation, thus avoiding the bruising and bleeding side effects associated with PPS treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are administered frequently to treat UCPPS, then short-term pain relief is achieved, but kidney damage and allergies may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain reliefVSAvoidkidney damage and allergies

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of treatment mechanism from NSAID-mediated cyclooxygenase inhibition to cerium oxide nanoparticle-mediated oxidative stress reduction. This parameter change allows for effective pain relief through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties without the nephrotoxic and allergenic side effects characteristic of frequent NSAID use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hyaluronic acid (HA) is used to treat UCPPS, then biocompatibility is improved, but treatment frequency increases due to rapid loss during urination

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidduration of effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs cerium oxide nanoparticles as a stable, long-lasting alternative to hyaluronic acid. While HA provides good biocompatibility, it is rapidly eliminated during urination requiring monthly treatments. Cerium oxide nanoparticles offer comparable or superior biocompatibility with sustained therapeutic effects that persist without frequent re-administration, eliminating the need for monthly perfusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If current UCPPS treatments are used, then some symptom relief is achieved, but efficacy is limited and adverse effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom reliefVSAvoidtreatment safety and efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes cerium oxide nanoparticles, which possess composite properties combining antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects in a single agent. This composite material approach provides multi-faceted symptom relief (pain, urinary frequency, inflammation) simultaneously while maintaining high safety margins, overcoming the limitations of single-mechanism treatments that require multiple medications with cumulative side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

CeNPs provide long-term relief with fewer side effects by degrading ROS and RNS, reducing inflammation, and ameliorating edema and hemorrhage, thus improving quality of life for UCPPS patients.

Implementation Method 1

CeNPs have distinctive antioxidant and/or catalytic properties due to the coexistence of oxidation states Ce3+ and Ce4+ and the reversible redox switch between these states. CeNPs may degrade reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and show extraordinary antioxidant properties by scavenging free radicals and remaining active in tissues for prolonged periods by spontaneous redox reactions.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS12521414B2Method for preventing or treating urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 NATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE

AI summary

Provided is a method for preventing or treating urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) in a subject that includes administering an effective amount of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) to the subject. Also provided is a method for preventing or treating an UCPPS in a subject that includes administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the CeNPs and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier thereof.