Generation of liposome aerosols with the Aeroneb Pro and the AeroProbe nebulizers.
BACKGROUND
Inhalation of therapeutic aerosols is a long-established means of drug delivery to the lungs or to the systemic circulation. In addition to solutions, suspensions, and particulates, liposomal formulations are being developed for aerosol administration. In this report, we investigated the membrane integrity of liposomes encapsulating the fluorescent model compound, calcein, after nebulization using two novel aerosolization devices, the Aeroneb Pro vibrating-mesh nebulizer (Aerogen, Dangan, Ireland) and the AeroProbe intracorporeal nebulizing catheter (Trudell Medical Corporation, London, Ontario, Canada).


METHODS
The influence of lipid composition and lamellarity on the stability of the vesicles was investigated by measuring changes in median diameter, zeta-potential, and calcein retention.


RESULTS
Both nebulizers were able to successfully aerosolise 1.5 mL of liposome suspension in a short period of time. The diameter and zeta-potential of the liposomes was preserved upon nebulization, and the calcein retention was above 70% in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
It can, hence, be concluded that both systems, the Aeroneb Pro and the AeroProbe, are well suited for the pulmonary delivery of liposomal formulations, with the AeroProbe having the additional advantage of allowing targeted delivery into the select regions of the lungs with a high degree of efficiency and control.
Gaspar
Maria Manuela
MM
Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery Systems Group, iMed.UL, Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Gobbo
Oliviero
O
Ehrhardt
Carsten
C
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D002170:Canada; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D007494:Ireland; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D009864:Ontario
D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D008081:Liposomes