title: Stability and efficacy of synthetic cationic antimicrobial peptides nebulized using high frequency acoustic waves.
abstract: Surface acoustic wave (SAW), a nanometer amplitude electroelastic wave generated and propagated on low-loss piezoelectric substrates (such as LiNbO3), is an extremely efficient solid-fluid energy transfer mechanism. The present study explores the use of SAW nebulization as a solution for effective pulmonary peptide delivery. In vitro deposition characteristics of the nebulized peptides were determined using a Next Generation Cascade Impactor. 70% of the peptide-laden aerosols generated were within a size distribution favorable for deep lung distribution. The integrity of the nebulized peptides was found to be retained, as shown via mass spectrometry. The anti-mycobacterial activity of the nebulized peptides was found to be uncompromised compared with their non-nebulized counterparts, as demonstrated by the minimum inhibition concentration and the colony forming inhibition activity. The peptide concentration and volume recoveries for the SAW nebulizer were significantly higher than 90% and found to be insensitive to variation in the peptide sequences. These results demonstrate the potential of the SAW nebulization platform as an effective delivery system of therapeutic peptides through the respiratory tract to the deep lung.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore , 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory, School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.
authors.forename: Amgad R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rezk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore , 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Jasmeet Singh
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Khara
authors.affiliation: Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory, School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.
authors.forename: Leslie Y
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5949-9729
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore , 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Pui Lai Rachel
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7277-6233
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Ee