Nebulization and In Vitro Upper Airway Deposition of Liposomal Carrier Systems

Liposomal carrier systems have emerged as a promising technology for pulmonary drug delivery. This study focuses on two selected liposomal systems, namely, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine stabilized by phosphatidic acid and cholesterol (DPPC-PA-Chol) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine stabilized by polyethylene glycol and cholesterol (DPPC-PEG-Chol). First, the research investigates the stability of these liposomal systems during the atomization process using different kinds of nebulizers (air-jet, vibrating mesh, and ultrasonic). The study further explores the aerodynamic particle size distribution of the aerosol generated by the nebulizers. The nebulizer that demonstrated optimal stability and particle size was selected for more detailed investigation, including Andersen cascade impactor measurements, an assessment of the influence of flow rate and breathing profiles on aerosol particle size, and an in vitro deposition study on a realistic replica of the upper airways. The most suitable combination of a nebulizer and liposomal system was DPPC-PA-Chol nebulized by a Pari LC Sprint Star in terms of stability and particle size. The influence of the inspiration flow rate on the particle size was not very strong but was not negligible either (decrease of Dv50 by 1.34 μm with the flow rate increase from 8 to 60 L/min). A similar effect was observed for realistic transient inhalation. According to the in vitro deposition measurement, approximately 90% and 70% of the aerosol penetrated downstream of the trachea using the stationary flow rate and the realistic breathing profile, respectively. These data provide an image of the potential applicability of liposomal carrier systems for nebulizer therapy. Regional lung drug deposition is patient-specific; therefore, deposition results might vary for different airway geometries. However, deposition measurement with realistic boundary conditions (airway geometry, breathing profile) brings a more realistic image of the drug delivery by the selected technology. Our results show how much data from cascade impactor testing or estimates from the fine fraction concept differ from those of a more realistic case.

Computational Study of Complex Formation between Hyaluronan Polymers and Polyarginine Peptides at Various Ratios

Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring carbohydrate biopolymer in human tissues, finds wide application in cosmetics, medicine, and material science. Its anionic properties play a crucial role in its interaction with positively charged macromolecules and ions. Among these macromolecules, positively charged arginine molecules or polyarginine peptides demonstrate potential in drug delivery when complexed with hyaluronan. This study aimed to compare and elucidate the results of both experimental and computational investigations on the interactions between hyaluronic acid polymers and polyarginine peptides. Experimental findings revealed that by varying the length of polyarginine peptides and the molar ratio, it is possible to modulate the size, solubility, and stability of hyaluronan-arginine particles. To further explore these interactions, molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to model the complexes formed between hyaluronic acid polymers and arginine peptides. The simulations are considered in different molar ratios and lengths of polyarginine peptides. By analysis of the data, we successfully determined the shape and size of the resulting complexes. Additionally, we identified the primary driving forces behind complex formation and explained the observed variations in peptide interactions with hyaluronan.

Interactions between Cationic Ion Pair Amphiphile Vesicles and Hyaluronan-A Physicochemical Study

High-resolution ultrasound spectroscopy (HR-US), size and ζ-potential titrations, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) were used to characterize the interactions between hyaluronan and catanionic ion pair amphiphile vesicles composed of hexadecyltrimethylammonium-dodecylsulphate (HTMA-DS), dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC), and cholesterol. In addition to these methods, visual observations were performed with the selected molecular weight of hyaluronan. A very good correlation was obtained between data from size titration, HR-US, and visual observation, which indicated in lower charge ratios the formation of hyaluronan-coated vesicles. On the contrary, at higher charge ratios, coated vesicles disintegrated to a size of around 2000 nm. The intensity of these interactions and the disaggregation were dependent on the molecular weight of hyaluronan. All interactions studied by ITC showed strong exothermic behavior, and these interactions between vesicles and hyaluronan were confirmed from the first addition, independently of the molecular weight of hyaluronan.

Cholesterol Effect on Membrane Properties of Cationic Ion Pair Amphiphile Vesicles at Different Temperatures

This work is focused on the study of the effect of cholesterol on the properties of vesicular membranes of ionic amphiphilic pairs at different temperatures. The hexadecyltrimethylammonium-dodecyl sulfate ionic amphiphilic pair system with the addition of 10 mol % dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride was chosen for a detailed study of vesicle properties. A large range of cholesterol concentrations (0-73 mol %) in the temperature range 10-80 °C was studied. Under these conditions, the size distribution, the membrane fluidity, and the surface layer were monitored together with the change in the mobility of water in the surface layer. Obtained quantities were correlated with each other and combined into appropriate graphs. It was found that in stable systems that meet the condition of unimodal size distribution with a PDI value lower than 0.3, temperature has virtually no effect on the size of vesicular systems. On the contrary, when studying the hydration and fluidity of the membrane, significant changes in these parameters were found, which, however, do not affect the short-term stability of these vesicular systems. The presented results thus indicate the possibility of adjusting the composition of the vesicular system in terms of fluidity and membrane hydration while maintaining short-term stability and size distribution.

Hyaluronan-Arginine Interactions-An Ultrasound and ITC Study

High-resolution ultrasound spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry were used to characterize interactions between hyaluronan and arginine oligomers. The molecular weight of arginine oligomer plays an important role in interactions with hyaluronan. Interactions were observable for arginine oligomers with eight monomer units and longer chains. The effect of the ionic strength and molecular weight of hyaluronan on interactions was tested. In an environment with increased ionic strength, the length of the arginine oligomer was crucial. Generally, sufficiently high ionic strength suppresses interactions between hyaluronan and arginine oligomers, which demonstrated interactions in water. From the point of view of the molecular weight of hyaluronan, the transition between the rod conformation and the random coil conformation appeared to be important.