Uniformity and Efficacy of Dry Powders Delivered to the Lungs of a Mycobacterial-Surrogate Rat Model of Tuberculosis.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary administration of dry drug powder is a considered promising strategy in the treatment of various lung diseases such as tuberculosis and is more effective than systemic medication. However, in the pre-clinical study phase, there is a lack of devices for effective delivery of dry powders to the lungs of small rodents. In this study, an administration device which utilizes Venturi effect to deliver dry powders to the lungs homogeneously was developed. METHODS: A Venturi-effect administration device which synchronizes with breathes by use of a ventilator and aerosolizes the dry powders was created. Pulmonary distribution of inhalable dry powders prepared by spray-drying poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and an antituberculosis agent rifampicin and anti-tuberculosis effect of the powders on mycobacteria infected rats by administration with the Venturi-effect administration device and a conventional insufflation device were evaluated. RESULTS: Homogeneous distribution of the dry powders in the lung was achieved by the Venturi-effect administration device due to efficient and recurring aerosolization of loaded dry powders while synchronizing with breathes. Amount of rifampicin delivered to the lungs by the Venturi-effect administration device was three times higher than that by a conventional insufflation device, demonstrating three times greater antimycobacterial activity. CONCLUSIONS: The Venturi-effect administration device aerosolized inhalable antituberculosis dry powders efficiently, achieved uniform pulmonary distribution, and aided the dry powders to exert antituberculosis activity on lung-residing mycobacteria.

[Transdermal Delivery of NSAIDs].

Skin has been studied as administration site of drug for its systemic effects, since systemic therapeutic agents can be delivered for long time with a controlled ratio, escaping from the first pass effect by liver by the transdermal delivery, which can decrease the dosage form. The low permeability of drug molecules through stratum corneum has been the limiting factor for developing transdermal delivery system of therapeutic agents. To enhance the permeability of drug molecules, many studies have been reported.

Effects of lower alcohols on nanocomposite particles for inhalation prepared using O/W emulsion.

BACKGROUND: Inhalable nanocomposite particles using O/W emulsions were studied. The effect of the composition of the dispersed phase on the nanoparticles in the nanocomposite particles was reported, however, the effect on the inhalation characteristics of nanocomposite particles has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the effects of lower alcohols in the dispersed phase of O/W emulsions on inhalable nanocomposite particles. METHODS: Nanocomposite particles were prepared using a spray dryer from O/W emulsion. A mixed solution of dichloromethane and lower alcohols in which rifampicin (RFP) and poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) were dissolved was used as a dispersed phase, and an aqueous solution in which arginine and leucine were dissolved was used as a continuous phase. RESULTS: We succeeded in preparing non-spherical nanocomposite particles with an average diameter of 9.01-10.91 µm. The results of the fine particle fraction (FPF) measurement showed that the higher the hydrophobicity of the lower alcohol mixed in the dispersed phase, the higher the FPF value. The FPF value of the nanocomposite particles was significantly increased by using ethanol and 1-propanol. CONCLUSIONS: The results were revealed that mixing 1-propanol with the dispersed phase increased the amount of RFP delivered to the lungs.

Preparation and properties of inhalable nanocomposite particles: effects of the size, weight ratio of the primary nanoparticles in nanocomposite particles and temperature at a spray-dryer inlet upon properties of nanocomposite particles.

Nanoparticles are expected to be applicable to inhalation as carrier but there exist disadvantages because of their size. Their deposition dose to the lung will be small. To overcome this problem and utilize nanoparticles for inhalation, we have prepared nanocomposite particles as drug carriers targeting lungs. The nanocomposite particles are prepared as drug-loaded nanoparticles-additive complex to reach deep in the lungs and to be decomposed into nanoparticles when they deposit into lung. In this study, we examined the effect of preparation condition--inlet temperature, size of primary nanoparticles and weight ratio of primary nanoparticles--on the property of nanocomposite particles. When the size of primary nanoparticles was 400 nm and inlet temperature was 90 degrees C, only the nanocomposite particles containing between 45 and 55% of primary nanoparticles could be decomposed into nanoparticles in water. On the other hand, when the inlet temperature was 80 degrees C, nanocomposite particles were decomposed into nanoparticles independent of the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles. Also, the aerodynamic diameter of the nanocomposite particles was between 1.5 and 2.5 microm, independent of the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles. When the size of primary nanoparticles was 200 nm and inlet temperature was 70 degrees C, nanocomposite particles were decomposed into nanoparticles independent of the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles. Also, the aerodynamic diameters of them were almost 2.0 microm independent of the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles. When the nanocomposite particles containing nanoparticles with the size of 200 nm are prepared at 80 degrees C, no decomposition into nanoparticles was observed in water. Fine particle values, FPF, of the nanocomposite particles were not affected by the weight ratio of primary nanoparticles when they were prepared at optimum inlet temperature.

Exact determination of phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages toward polymer microspheres by elimination of those attached to the macrophage membrane.

A method for exact determination of phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophage (Mvarphi) cells toward synthetic microspheres (MS) by optical microscopy was developed. We examined the effectiveness of the treatment of Mvarphi samples with trypsin, acid or xylene to remove the polystyrene latex microspheres (PSL MS) attached to Mvarphi cell membranes during their phagocytosis by Mvarphi cells. We found that centrifugation, which was employed to collect Mvarphi samples after incubation with MS, affected significantly the efficiency of the various treatments. Of the three treatments, xylene treatment without centrifugation was the most effective to determine the phagocytic activity of Mvarphi cells, as xylene dissolved the PSL MS on the cell surface almost completely. This treatment was also effective in the case of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) MS (PLGA MS), which have been commonly used as an efficient vehicle for drug delivery system.

Preparation and properties of inhalable nanocomposite particles: effects of the temperature at a spray-dryer inlet upon the properties of particles.

To overcome the disadvantages both of microparticles and nanoparticles for inhalation, we have prepared nanocomposite particles as drug carriers targeting lungs. The nanocomposite particles having sizes about 2.5 microm composed of sugar and drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles can reach deep in the lungs, and they are decomposed into drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in the alveoli. Sugar was used as a binder of PLGA nanoparticles to be nanocomposite particles and is soluble in alveolar lining fluid. The primary nanoparticles containing bioactive materials were prepared by using a probe sonicator. And then they were spray dried with carrier materials, such as trehalose and lactose. The effects of inlet temperature of spray dryer were studied between 60 and 120 degrees C and the kind of sugars upon properties of nanocomposite particles. When the inlet temperatures were 80 and 90 degrees C, nanocomposite particles with average diameters of about 2.5 microm are obtained and they are decomposed into primary nanoparticles in water, in both sugars are used as a binder. But, those prepared above 100 degrees C are not decomposed into nanoparticles in water, while the average diameter was almost 2.5 microm. On the other hand, nanocomposite particles prepared at lower inlet temperatures have larger sizes but better redispersion efficiency in water. By the measurements of aerodynamic diameters of the nanocomposite particles prepared with trehalose at 70, 80, and 90 degrees C, it was shown that the particles prepared at 80 degrees C have the highest fine particle fraction (FPF) value and the particles are suitable for pulmonary delivery of bioactive materials deep in the lungs. Meanwhile the case with lactose, the particles prepared at 90 degrees C have near the best FPF value but they have many particles larger than 11 microm.

Push-Pull Controlled Drug Release Systems: Effect of Molecular Weight of Polyethylene Oxide on Drug Release.

First, an elementary osmotic pump (EOP) with a simple structure was prepared using polyethylene oxide (PEO) and NaCl as an excipient, and the influence of the molecular weight (Mw) of PEO on drug release was investigated. In the dissolution test of EOP, it was observed that the gelated core tablet was pushed out through the orifice. The dissolution profile of EOP was sigmoidal, and despite the short time, a zero-order release region was observed. The gel swelling rate in the zero-order region was independent of the Mw of PEO. It was also found that higher the Mw of PEO, the larger the saturated swelling amount. Next, a push-pull pump (PPP) with almost identical formulation to that of EOP was prepared, and its drug release characteristics were investigated. PPPs were prepared by varying the combination of Mws of PEO in both layers, and their dissolution profiles were compared. It was found that PPP using a low-Mw PEO for the drug layer and PEO with a high-Mw in the push layer showed the longest dissolution profile of the linear region. The obtained findings suggested that the properties of PEO and its hydrogel play a crucial role in the drug release of PPP.

Selective delivery of rifampicin incorporated into poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic) acid microspheres after phagocytotic uptake by alveolar macrophages, and the killing effect against intracellular Mycobacterium bovis Calmette-Guérin.

Macrophages and their phagocytotic abilities play a dominant role for defense against infected organisms. However, Mycobacterium tuberculosis can survive in the phagosomes of macrophages. In this study, the effective delivery of a drug and the killing effect of tubercle bacilli within macrophages were investigated utilizing the phagocytotic uptake of rifampicin (RFP) that had been incorporated into poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres. The microspheres were composed of PLGA that had a monomer ratio (lactic acid/glycolic acid) of either 50/50 or 75/25. They had molecular weights from 5000 to 20,000, and diameters of 1.5, 3.5, 6.2 and 8.9 microm. The most significant factor for phagocytotic activity of macrophages was the diameter of the microspheres. By contrast, molecular weight and monomer ratio of PLGA did not influence phagocytosis. The amount of RFP delivered into cells was also investigated. RFP-PLGA microspheres composed of PLGA with a molecular weight of 20,000 and monomer ratio of 75/25 showed the highest amount of delivery (4 microg/1 x 10(6) cells). Fourteen days after infection, the survival rate of treated intracellular bacilli was 1% when compared with untreated cells. There was almost no killing effect of free RFP (4 or 15 microg/ml) on intracellular bacilli. In vivo efficacy of RFP-PLGA was also examined in rats infected with M. tuberculosis Kurono. Intratracheal administration of RFP-PLGA microspheres was shown to be superior to free RFP for killing of intracellular bacilli and preventing granuloma formation in some lobes. These results suggest that phagocytotic activity could be part of a new drug delivery system that selectively targeted macrophages.

Effects of pulmonary surfactant system on rifampicin release from rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres.

Pulmonary surfactants little affected the release ratio of rifampicin from rifampicin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) PLGA microspheres. The release ratio of rifampicin was depending on pH of pulmonary surfactant solution, showing that rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres have an ideal property to deliver rifampicin into alveolar macrophages inside of which Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli reside and to kill them. That is, little amount of rifampicin is released in alveolar lining liquid before the microspheres are phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages, then rifampicin is released in phagosome or cytoplasm, but little amount of rifampicin is released in lysosome of alveolar macrophages after the microspheres are internalized. Pulmonary surfactants also little affected the changes in molecular weight of residual PLGA during its hydrolytic degradation process. From the electrophoretic mobility measurements of PLGA microspheres, it was shown that pulmonary surfactants changed the surface charge density of PLGA microspheres by adsorbing on their surfaces.

Estimation of Crystallinity of Nifedipine-Polyvinylpyrrolidone Solid Dispersion by Usage of Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy and of X-Ray Powder Diffractometer.

Crystalline state of pharmaceutical materials is of great importance in preparation of pharmaceutics, because their physicochemical properties affect bioavailability, quality of products, therapeutic level and manufacturing process. In this study, we have estimated time-dependent changes of nifedipine in nifedipine-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solid dispersion by measuring terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), and compared their correlativity. Crystallinity of nifedipine-PVP solid dispersion was changed by storing the amorphous sample at 25°C-75°C and relative humidity of over 80% for 0.25-24.00 h. To compare the results of two types of measurements, we have used a general method of linear regression analysis. Crystallinities estimated using THz-TDS were plotted on the x-axis and that of XRPD were on the y-axis. From the result of the calculation, the correlativity of them was confirmed. THz-TDS has the capability of becoming the replacement of XRPD.

Efficient intracellular delivery of rifampicin to alveolar macrophages using rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres: effects of molecular weight and composition of PLGA on release of rifampicin.

Monodispersed PLGA microspheres containing rifampicin (RFP) have been prepared by solvent evaporation method using a Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane. The microspheres were spherical and their average diameter was about 2 microm. The loading efficiency of rifampicin was dependent on the molecular weight of PLGA. The higher loading efficiency was obtained by the usage of PLGA with the lower molecular weight, which may be caused by the interaction of the amino groups of rifampicin with the terminal carboxyl groups of PLGA. PLGA with the monomer compositions of 50/50 and 75/25, of lactic acid/glycolic acid, were used in this study. From rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres formulated using PLGA with the molecular weight of 20,000, rifampicin was released with almost constant rate for 20 days after the lag phase was observed for the initial 7 days at pH 7.4. On the other hand, from rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres formulated using PLGA with the molecular weight of 5000 or 10,000, almost 90% of rifampicin-loaded in the microspheres was released in the initial 10 days. Highly effective delivery of rifampicin to alveolar macrophages was observed by the usage of rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres. Almost 19 times higher concentration of rifampicin was found to be incorporated in alveolar macrophages when rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres were added to the cell culture medium than when rifampicin solution was added.

Nondestructive analysis of structure and components of tablet coated with film by the usage of terahertz time-domain reflection spectroscopy.

Nondestructive analysis of tablet is of great importance from the aspect of productivity and safety. In terahertz (THz) region, however, the analysis of core of coated tablet has not been progressed. In this study, we have measured a flat-surface push-pull osmotic pump tablet, having no orifice, having bilayer core and a coating film layer. The bilayer core was made from the drug layer and the push layer, and acetaminophen was contained in the drug layer as a model drug. To study its structure and components, we have obtained reflection spectra from the drug layer side and the push layer side measurements using THz time-domain reflection spectroscopy (THz-TDRS). From these results, detection of the peak of acetaminophen in the spectrum from the drug layer side measurements was confirmed. We have made ridges approximated toward the peak using a general method of linear regression analysis in both spectra. Two-sample t-test was applied to their gradients, and significant difference between the drug layer and the push layer was shown. These results suggested that THz-TDRS is applicable to the analysis of structure and component of a coated tablet.

Distribution and deposition of respirable PLGA microspheres in lung alveoli.

Although treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis with respirable microspheres (MS) with an incorporated antituberculosis drug is expected to be highly effective, this treatment seems to achieve a much lesser effect than expected in the case of killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis residing in the lungs. To elucidate the reason for this weaker effect, we examined the distribution and accumulation of respirable MS consisting of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) in rat lungs. For this, we delivered the PLGA MS containing fluorescent coumarin 6 or an antituberculosis agent, rifampicin (RFP), by insufflation via the trachea and then determined the pulmonary distribution by counting the number of the MS in lung cryosections observed under a microscope. In addition, the uptake of MS by alveolar macrophage (AMφ) was determined by immunostaining for Mφ cell marker CD68 and RFP content in the cells. Approximately half of the fluorescent PLGA MS reached the alveoli without entrapment by trachea and primary bronchi and were then ingested by the AMφ cells up to 24h after insufflation. RFP in a form of PLGA MS was markedly transported into AMφ at an amount 10 times greater than that for the free RFP powder. However, a large proportion of RFP was eliminated from the lungs by 6h after insufflation.

Estimation of crystallinity of trehalose dihydrate microspheres by usage of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy.

Crystalline state of pharmaceutical materials is of great importance in the preparation of pharmaceutics because their physicochemical properties affect bioavailability, quality of products, therapeutic level, and manufacturing process. In this study, we have estimated the crystallinity of trehalose dihydrate microspheres by measuring terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. The commercially available trehalose dihydrate takes in general a crystalline state, but trehalose dihydrate microspheres prepared by using spray-drying method are in an amorphous state. We have prepared amorphous anhydrous trehalose by using melt-quenched method from crystalline trehalose dihydrate. We have measured the absorbance of trehalose dihydrate containing amorphous anhydrous trehalose (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) using THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to prepare calibration curves. Using the calibration curves, we have estimated the crystallinity of trehalose dihydrate microspheres prepared by using spray-drying method. Our results suggest that THz-TDS is well suited to distinguish crystallinity differences in pharmaceutical compounds.

Phagostimulatory effect of uptake of PLGA microspheres loaded with rifampicin on alveolar macrophages.

Our previous results on the phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages (Mϕs) toward poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid microspheres (PLGA MS) loaded with the anti-tuberculosis agent rifampicin (R-PLGA MS) suggest that the phagocytosis of R-PLGA MS enhances the phagocytic activity of Mϕ cells. To confirm this possibility, we examined the effect of phagocytosis of R-PLGA MS and polystyrene latex (PSL) MS on the phagocytic uptake of fluorescent PSL (F-PSL) MS by cells of the rat alveolar macrophage cell line NR8383 at 37°C. Phagocytic activity was examined in terms of the population of Mϕ cells that had phagocytosed MS (N(total)) and the total number of MS phagocytosed (n(total)) by counting the phagocytic Mϕ cells and the MS ingested in optical microscopic fields. Phagocytosis of R-PLGA MS enhanced about 1.5 times the values of N(total) and n(total) of the phagocytosis of F-PSL MS under the conditions where the phagocytosis of F-PSL MS did not attain the saturated level. In contrast, the phagocytosis of PSL MS did not enhance the phagocytic activity of Mϕ cells toward F-PSL MS. In conclusion, R-PLGA MS are favorable for drug delivery of anti-tuberculosis agents into alveolar Mϕs due to their ability to up-regulate the phagocytosis of MS.

Delivery of rifampicin-PLGA microspheres into alveolar macrophages is promising for treatment of tuberculosis.

Inhalation delivery of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres (MS) loaded with the anti-tuberculosis agent rifampicin (RFP-PLGA MS) to alveolar macrophage (M phi) cells could be an effective drug delivery system for the treatment of tuberculosis. To examine this possibility, we studied (1) the bactericidal effect of RFP-PLGA MS on Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-infected rat alveolar M phi NR8383 cells, and (2) changes in the biochemical events induced in these cells by the uptake of RFP-PLGA MS. The amount of intracellular RFP imported into the M phi s by RFP-PLGA MS containing 0.25 and 2.50 microg RFP/mL was more than twice and ten times, respectively, than that attained with 5.00 microg/mL of RFP solution; and the MS exerted more potent bactericidal effect on BCG inside M phi cells than 5.00 microg RFP/mL solution after incubation for 7 days. RFP-PLGA MS little affected the viability of M phi cells, whereas the polystyrene latex (PSL) MS used as a reference decreased it significantly. RFP-PLGA MS did not stimulate the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nitric oxide, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) by the M phi cells, whereas PSL MS stimulated all of these mediators except IL-10. We conclude that RFP-PLGA MS are bio-safe microspheres due to their "silent" nature when taken into M phi cells and that they are promising for the treatment of tuberculosis by pulmonary inhalation.

Preparation and properties of carrageenan microspheres containing allopurinol and local anesthetic agents for the treatment of oral mucositis.

For the treatment of oral mucositis, carrageenan microspheres containing allopurinol and local anesthetic agents, such as lidocaine hydrochloride, dibucaine hydrochloride and tetracaine hydrochloride were prepared using a spray-drying method. As base materials, kappa-carrageenan and iota-carrageenan were evaluated, since carrageenan mitigates bitter taste of lidocaine hydrochloride, dibucaine hydrochloride and tetracaine hydrochloride. The microspheres were spherical and their average diameters were about 10 microm. The drug loading efficiency was more than 70%. Allopurinol and local anesthetic agents became amorphous by the spray drying. Allopurinol and the local anesthetic agents were released from the microspheres for at least 400 min when iota-carrageenan was used as a base material. On the other hand, the release was prolonged to 600 min when kappa-carrageenan was used. The microspheres were spread and made membranes at the air/water interfaces immediately after dropped on the water surfaces. The properties of the microspheres such as dispersing efficacy and membrane production on the water surfaces suggest that the microspheres can uniformly cover inner surfaces of oral cavity to prevent and treat oral mucositis.

Preparation and properties of inhalable nanocomposite particles for treatment of lung cancer.

Nanoparticles have widely been studied in drug delivery research for targeting and controlled release. The aim of this article is application of nanoparticles as an inhalable agent for treatment of lung cancer. To deposit effectively deep the particles in the lungs, the PLGA nanoparticles loaded with the anticancer drug 6-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino}-3-hydroxyl-7H-indeno[2,1-c]quinolin-7-one dihydrochloride (TAS-103) were prepared in the form of nanocomposite particles. The nanocomposite particles consist of the complex of drug-loaded nanoparticles and excipients. In this study, the anticancer effects of the nanocomposite particles against the lung cancer cell line A549. Also, the concentration of TAS-103 in blood and lungs were determined after administration of the nanocomposite particles by inhalation to rats. TAS-103-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared with 5% and 10% of loading ratio by spray drying method with trehalose as an excipient. The 5% drug-loaded nanocomposite particles were more suitable for inhalable agent because of the sustained release of TAS-103 and higher FPF value. Cytotoxicity of nanocomposite particles against A549 cells was higher than that of free drug. When the nanocomposite particles were administered in rats by inhalation, drug concentration in lung was much higher than that in plasma. Furthermore, drug concentration in lungs administered by inhalation of nanocomposite particles was much higher than that after intravenous administration of free drug. From these results, the nanocomposite particle systems could be promising for treatment of lung cancer.