Antithrombotic nanoparticles and methods for treating necrotizing enterocolitis

1. A method of treating necrotizing enterocolitis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antithrombotic nanoparticle comprising: a thrombin inhibitor, a vitamin K antagonist, synthetic pentasaccharide inhibitor of factor Xa, directly acting oral anticoagulant, direct factor Xa inhibitor, or a protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonist.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thrombin inhibitor comprises bivalirudin, hirudin, lepirudin, argatroban, dabigatran, ximelagatran, or D-phenylalanyl-N-[(1S)-4-[(aminoiminomethyl)amino]-1-(2-chloroacetyl)butyl]-L-prolinamide, trifluoroacetate salt (PPACK).

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antithrombotic nanoparticle comprises a core and an outer layer.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the outer layer comprises the thrombin inhibitor.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the core comprises perfluorocarbon.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antithrombotic nanoparticle has a size ranging from about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the antithrombotic nanoparticle has a size ranging from about 50 nm to about 1000 nm.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the antithrombotic nanoparticle has a size about 250 nm.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antithrombotic nanoparticle further comprises an antiplatelet agent.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the antiplatelet agent is selected from a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor inhibitor, a glycoprotein IIB/IIIA inhibitor, a thromboxane inhibitor, a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, or a thromboxane receptor antagonist.

11. The method of claim 3 , wherein the outer layer of the antithrombotic nanoparticle further comprises a ligand that targets a cell that is activated by thrombin via PAR-1 receptors.

12. The method of claim 3 , wherein the outer layer of the antithrombotic nanoparticle further comprises a ligand that targets an intestinal endothelial cell.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antithrombotic nanoparticle inhibits platelet activation.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administration of the antithrombotic nanoparticle decreases a level of tissue factor (TF).

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administration of the antithrombotic nanoparticle decreases intestinal damage.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antithrombotic nanoparticle is comprised in an injectable dosage form.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the half-life of the antithrombotic nanoparticle after a single intravenous bolus is between about 2 and about 4 hours.