Characterisation of zinc delivery from a nipple shield delivery system using a breastfeeding simulation apparatus.
Zinc delivery from a nipple shield delivery system (NSDS), a novel platform for administering medicines to infants during breastfeeding, was characterised using a breastfeeding simulation apparatus. In this study, human milk at flow rates and pressures physiologically representative of breastfeeding passed through the NSDS loaded with zinc-containing rapidly disintegrating tablets, resulting in release of zinc into the milk. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to detect the zinc released, using a method that does not require prior digestion of the samples and that could be applied in other zinc analysis studies in breast milk. Four different types of zinc-containing tablets with equal zinc load but varying excipient compositions were tested in the NSDS in vitro. Zinc release measured over 20 minutes ranged from 32-51% of the loaded dose. Total zinc release for sets tablets of the same composition but differing hardness were not significantly different from one another with P = 0.3598 and P = 0.1270 for two tested pairs using unpaired t tests with Welch's correction. By the same test total zinc release from two sets of tablets having similar hardness but differing composition were also not significantly significant with P = 0.2634. Future zinc tablet composition and formulation optimisation could lead to zinc supplements and therapeutics with faster drug release, which could be administered with the NSDS during breastfeeding. The use of the NSDS to deliver zinc could then lead to treatment and prevention of some of the leading causes of child mortality, including diarrheal disease and pneumonia.
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, BioScience Engineering Research Group, University of Cambridge, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Rebekah L
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6396-5043
RL
Scheuerle
Biomineral Research Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Sylvaine F A
SF
Bruggraber
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, BioScience Engineering Research Group, University of Cambridge, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Stephen E
SE
Gerrard
University College London, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, London, United Kingdom.
Richard A
RA
Kendall
University College London, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, London, United Kingdom.
Catherine
C
Tuleu
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, BioScience Engineering Research Group, University of Cambridge, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Nigel K H
NK
Slater
D001942:Breast Feeding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009558:Nipples; D011482:Protective Devices; D013607:Tablets / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
D013607:Tablets; D015032:Zinc