ways to apply what you leared about respirtory medication

  • Journal List
  • Br J Clin Pharmacol
  • v.56(6); 2003 Dec
  • PMC1884307

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2003 Dec; 56(half dozen): 588–599.

Pulmonary drug delivery. Office I: Physiological factors affecting therapeutic effectiveness of aerosolized medications

Received 2002 Apr 19; Accepted 2003 Mar 21.

Abstract

As the end organ for the treatment of local diseases or as the route of administration for systemic therapies, the lung is a very attractive target for drug delivery. It provides direct access to affliction in the treatment of respiratory diseases, while providing an enormous area and a relatively low enzymatic, controlled environment for systemic absorption of medications. As a major port of entry, the lung has evolved to forbid the invasion of unwanted airborne particles from entering into the body. Airway geometry, humidity, mucociliary clearance and alveolar macrophages play a vital role in maintaining the sterility of the lung and consequently are barriers to the therapeutic effectiveness of inhaled medications. In addition, a drug's efficacy may be afflicted by where in the respiratory tract it is deposited, its delivered dose and the disease it may be trying to treat.

Keywords: administration, aerosol, inhalation, lung, review

Introduction

Inhaled medications accept been available for many years for the treatment of lung diseases and are widely accepted as being the optimal route of administration of first-line therapy for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. In contempo years, the lung has been studied as a possible route of administration for the treatment of systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. Behind this wave of novel inhaleable drugs is the contempo development of new inhalation devices that make information technology possible to deliver larger drug doses (milligram compared with microgram dosing) to the airways and achieve greater deposition efficiency than the older devices (>fifty% lung deposition vs.≤twenty% with older devices) [1]. For the lungs to be the target organ or a route of administration, the appropriate amount of drug must be deposited past the oropharyngeal region to achieve therapeutic effectiveness. The site of degradation, that is on cardinal or peripheral airways, and whether the distribution of the inhaled drug is uniform or not-uniform may also play a role in an inhaled drug's effectiveness. Today, there are more than 65 different inhaled products of more than xx active ingredients marketed to treat respiratory diseases [ii]. Despite the widespread use of inhaled medications, our noesis is express with regard to the optimal lung deposition, site for local therapeutic response, the factors that make up one's mind the absorption, clearance, and the part the bronchial apportionment plays in the redistribution of the inhaled agents.

In the foreseeable future, non only will we encounter more efficient and more than efficacious inhaled therapies for respiratory diseases, simply the introduction to market of inhaleables for gene therapy and the treatment of systemic diseases. With more emphasis on the lung as a route of administration, physicians, pharmacists and other health professionals will need to take a bones understanding of the science behind pulmonary drug delivery. Part I of this review on pulmonary drug delivery addresses the physiological factors affecting therapeutic effectiveness of inhaled drug therapy, including aerosol particle size, airway geometry, lung clearance mechanisms, and lung affliction. In Office II, nosotros consider the part the inhalant delivery devices and drug formulations in therapeutic effectiveness of aerosolized medications.

Optimal site of deposition for handling of lung diseases

Inhalation of drugs for the treatment of local diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary affliction (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and chronic bronchitis, has been commonplace for many years. The advantages of inhaled over systemic delivery of these drugs are listed in Tabular array 1 [three].

Table 1

Advantages of pulmonary delivery of drugs to treat respiratory and systemic disease.

Treatment of respiratory diseases Treatment of systemic diseases
Deliver high drug concentrations directly to the disease site A noninvasive 'needle-free' delivery system.
Minimizes risk of systemic side-effects Suitable for a wide range of substances from small molecules to very large proteins [20, 21].
Rapid clinical response Enormous absorptive area (100 grand2) and a highly permeable membrane (0.2–0.7 µm thickness) in the alveolar region [22, 23].
Bypass the barriers to therapeutic efficacy, such as poor gastrointestinal absorption and first-laissez passer metabolism in the liver Large molecules with very depression absorption rates tin can exist absorbed in significant quantities; the tiresome mucociliary clearance in the lung periphery results in prolonged residency in the lung [72].
Accomplish a similar or superior therapeutic effect at a fraction of the systemic dose. For case, oral salbutamol 2–iv mg is therapeutically equivalent to 100–200 µg by MDI A less harsh, low enzymatic environment that is devoid of hepatic first-pass metabolism.
Reproducible assimilation kinetics. Pulmonary delivery is independent of dietary complications, extracellular enzymes and interpatient metabolic differences that affect gastrointestinal absorption [21].

The therapeutic outcome of aerosolized therapies is dependent upon the dose deposited and its distribution within the lung. The influence of the latter on the effectiveness of inhaled therapies is less clear. Ruffin and colleagues [4] demonstrated that a small dose of histamine aerosol deposited predominantly in the big conducting (central) airways was equally effective in increasing airway obstruction equally an xi-fold greater dose of histamine aerosol deposited diffusely, suggesting that the receptors for histamine reside mainly in the large airways and that surface concentration of a drug affects response.

If a drug droplets is delivered at a suboptimal dose or to a office of the lung devoid of the targeted disease or receptor, the effectiveness of therapy may be compromised. The receptors for the β2 agonist, salbutamol and the muscarinic-3 (M3) antagonist, ipratropium bromide are not uniformly distributed throughout the lung. Autoradiographic studies have shown β2 adrenergic receptors nowadays in high density in the airway epithelium from the large bronchi to the terminal bronchioles. Airway smooth muscle has a lower β-receptor density, greater in the bronchioles than bronchi [v]. However, >90% of all β receptors are located in the alveolar wall, a region where no shine muscle exists and whose functional significance is unknown. Another autoradiographic study has shown a high density of M3 receptors in submucosal glands and airway ganglia and a moderate density in smooth muscles throughout the airways, nerves in intrapulmonary bronchi and in alveolar walls [vi]. The location of these receptors in the lung suggests that ipratropium bromide needs to exist delivered to the conducting airways, while salbutamol requires a more peripheral delivery to the medium and small-scale airways to produce a therapeutic effect. In contrast to bronchodilators, inhaled anti-inflammatory therapy is probably most beneficial when evenly distributed throughout the lung, since inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, are present throughout the airways and the alveolar tissue in asthma [7, 8].

Since particle size affects the lung deposition of an aerosol, it also can influence the clinical effectiveness of a drug. Johnson and colleagues showed that the bronchodilation response to cumulative doses of ipratropium bromide delivered either every bit a 3.three-µm or 7.vii-µm aerosol was identical, whereas the response to salbutamol was significantly greater with the finer (iii.3 µm) aerosol, suggesting targeting drug droplets to the location of their receptors in the lung does influence its effectiveness (Figure 1) [9]. Rees et al. [10] reported the varying clinical outcome of 250 µg of aerosolized terbutaline from a metered dose inhaler (MDI) given equally three different particle sizes: <v µm, five–10 µm and 10–xv µm. In asthmatics, the greatest increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 due south (FEVone), specific airway conductance (sGaw) and flow at 50% of vital capacity (550) was found with the smallest particle size (<5 µm), suggesting that the smaller particle aerosol was considerably more effective than larger particle size aerosols in producing bronchodilation since it has the best penetration and retention in the lungs in the presence of airway narrowing. Using 3 monodisperse salbutamol aerosols [mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of i.v µm, 2.8 µm, 5 µm], Zanen and colleagues [11] demonstrated in patients with mild to moderate asthma that the ii.8 µm particle size droplets produced a superior bronchodilation compared with the other two aerosols. In patients with severe airflow obstruction (FEVane <xl%), Zanen et al. [12] demonstrated that the optimal particle size for βtwo agonist or anticholinergic aerosols is approximately iii µm. They examined the consequence on lung function of equal doses of three different sizes of monodisperse aerosols, 1.v µm, 2.8 µm and five µm, of salbutamol and ipratropium bromide. Their findings suggest that small particles penetrate more deeply into the lung and thereby, more effectively dilate the small airways than larger particles, which are filtered out in the upper airways. The 1.5-µm aerosol induced significantly less bronchodilation than the 2.8-µm aerosol, suggesting this fine droplets may be deposited too peripherally to be effective since shine muscle is not present in the alveolar region.

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is bcp0056-0588-f1.jpg

The consequence of the drug aerosol's particle size on therapeutic efficacy. (a) Percentage improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEVone) post-obit inhalation of two dissimilar size aerosols of salbutamol, iii.3 µm and 7.seven µm. The dose–response curves bear witness that, for the β-agonist, salbutamol, the small particle aerosol (3.three µm) produced a greater bronchodilator response at all doses compared with the larger particle size droplets. (b) Percentage comeback in FEV1 following inhalation of ii different size aerosols of ipratropium bromide, iii.3 µm and vii.7 µm. For the muscarinic adversary, ipratropium bromide, there were no pregnant differences in the dose–response curves between the ii aerosols. (From Johnson MA et al. Chest 1989; 96: 1–ten [9].)

The optimal site of deposition in the respiratory tract for aerosolized antibiotics depends on the infection being treated. Many pneumonias correspond a mixture of purulent tracheobronchitis and alveolar infection. Successful therapy would theoretically require the antibiotic to be evenly distributed throughout the lungs. All the same, those confined to the alveolar region would probably benefit from a greater peripheral degradation. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, the most mutual life-threatening infection amid patients infected with HIV, is plant predominately inside the alveolar spaces with relapses occurring in the apical region of the lung later treatment with inhaled pentamidine given as a i-µm MMAD droplets [13]. The mechanism suggested for this atypical relapse is the poorer apical deposition of the aerosol. Regional changes in intrapleural pressure level result in the lower lung regions receiving relatively more of the inspired volume than the upper lung when sitting in an upright position or standing. This influence on degradation has been shown to occur in an experimental lung model analysing sites of aerosol deposition in a normal lung. The experiment showed a 2 : i ratio in overall deposition for a 4 µm aerodynamic bore aerosol between the lower and upper lobes when in the upright position [14]. Baskin and colleagues [13] demonstrated that this gradient could be reduced by administering aerosolized pentamidine to patients in the supine position. Thus, receiving aerosolized pentamidine in the supine position may reduce the take chances of relapse in the upmost lobes of the lung by increasing the corporeality of antibiotic deposited in the upper lung regions. This theory remains to be proven in a clinical trial.

Chronic lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or non-CF bronchiectasis resides in the airway lumen with express invasion of the lung parenchyma [15, 16]. Infection starts in the smaller airways, the bronchioles, and moves into the larger airways. The optimal site of deposition for inhaled antimicrobial therapy would therefore be a uniform distribution on the conducting airways. Mucus plugs in the bronchi and bronchioles may prevent deposition of even small particle aerosols in regions distal to the airway obstruction, every bit shown in Figure two, possibly the regions of highest infection, and thereby may limit the therapeutic effectiveness of the aerosolized antibody [17–19].

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is bcp0056-0588-f2.jpg

Positron emission tomography emission slices for all 3 planes following inhalation of 18fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) of 2 dissimilar particle sizes in a cystic fibrosis patient [age 23; forced expiratory volume in 1 south (FEV1) 57% of predicted]. (a) Ultravent nebulizer: mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) i.5 µm, fine particle fraction (FPF) of 95% (measured with Andersen Cascade Impactor at 28.iii Lpm). (b) Pari LC Star nebulizer: MMAD iv.v µm, FPF for FDG aerosol of 65%. Although a difference in distribution is evident with the ii sizes of aerosols, distribution of the small-scale particle aerosol (ane.5 µm) is non-uniform with the droplets being centrally distributed. The darker areas (hotspots) on the scans are points of impaction, possibly at airway obstructions. (Reproduced with permission of the writer [63].)

Optimal site of degradation for handling of systemic diseases

Pulmonary drug delivery offers several advantages equally a route of administration for the treatment of systemic diseases compared with intravenous, oral, buccal, transdermal, vaginal, nasal or ocular administration. The advantages of pulmonary assistants are listed in Table 1 [xx–23]. Until recently, droplets drug delivery has been limited to topical therapy for the lung and nose. The major contributing factor to this restriction was the inefficiencies of available inhalation devices that deposit only 10–15% of the emitted dose in the lungs. While appropriate lung doses of steroids and bronchodilators can be achieved with these devices, for systemic therapies large amounts of the drug are necessary to achieve therapeutic drug levels, systemically. Recent advances in aerosol and formulation technologies take led to the development of delivery systems that are more efficient and that produce small particle aerosols allowing higher drug doses to be deposited in the alveolar region of the lungs where they are available for systemic absorption.

Most macromolecules cannot exist administered orally because proteins are digested before they are absorbed into the bloodstream. Also, their large size prevents them from naturally passing through the skin or nasal membrane, and therefore they cannot be administered intranasally or transdermally without the utilise of penetration enhancers. Thus, the easiest route of administration for proteins has been through intravenous or intramuscular/subcutaneous injection. It has been known for many years that proteins tin be captivated from the lung, as demonstrated with insulin in 1925 [20]. Macromolecules <forty kDa (<five–6 nm in diameter) rapidly announced in the blood post-obit inhalation into the airways. Insulin which has a molecular weight (m wt) of five.7 kDa and a diameter of 2.two nm peaks in the blood fifteen–60 min subsequently inhalation [24–29]. Macromolecules >twoscore kDa (>5–6 nm in diameter) are slowly absorbed over many hours; inhaled albumin (68 kDa) and α1-antitrypsin (45–51 kDa) have a T max of 20 h and between 12 and 48 h, respectively [21].

The lung is the only organ through which the unabridged cardiac output passes. Before the inhaled drug can be absorbed into the claret from the lung periphery, information technology has several barriers to overcome: lung surfactant, surface lining fluid, epithelium, interstitium and basement membrane and the endothelium. Drug absorption is regulated by a thin alveolar–vascular permeable barrier. The number of alveoli ranges from 200 million to 600 million, resulting in an enormous epithelial surface area with epithelium consisting of a thin single cellular layer (0.two–0.vii µm thickness) [thirty]. While these properties promote efficient gas exchange through passive transport, they also provide a mechanism for efficient drug delivery to the bloodstream. Although the mechanism of absorption is unknown, it has been hypothesized that macromolecules either pass through the cells via absorptive transcytosis (adsorptive or receptor mediated), paracellular send between bijunctions or trijunctions, or through large transitory pores in the epithelium caused by cell injury or apoptosis [23, 31]. Thus, the high bioavailability of macromolecules deposited in the lung (ten–200 times greater than nasal and gastrointestinal values) may be due to its enormous surface expanse, very thin diffusion layer, slow surface clearance and antiprotease defence force system [23].

Droplets particle size

Droplets particle size is i of the most important variables in defining the dose deposited and the distribution of drug droplets in the lung (Figure 3) [32]. Fine aerosols are distributed on peripheral airways but eolith less drug per unit surface area than larger particle aerosols which deposit more drug per unit surface area, but on the larger, more central airways [4]. Virtually therapeutic aerosols are almost always heterodisperse, consisting of a broad range of particle sizes and described past the log-normal distribution with the log of the particle diameters plotted against particle number, surface area or book (mass) on a linear or probability scale and expressed as absolute values or cumulative pct. Since delivered dose is very important when studying medical aerosols, particle number may be misleading, as smaller particles contain less drug than larger ones, as seen in Effigy 4. Particle size is divers from this distribution by several parameters. Mass median diameter of an droplets refers to the particle bore that has l% of the aerosol mass residing to a higher place and 50% of its mass below it. The aerodynamic bore relates the particle to the diameter of a sphere of unit of measurement density that has the same settling velocity equally the particle of interest regardless of its shape or density. MMAD is read from the cumulative distribution curve at the 50% point (Effigy four). Geometric standard divergence (GSD) is a measure out of the variability of the particle diameters inside the aerosol and is calculated from the ratio of the particle bore at the 84.1% point on the cumulative distribution curve to the MMAD. For a log-normal distribution, the GSD is the same for the number, area or mass distributions. A GSD of 1 indicates a monodisperse droplets, while a GSD of >1.2 indicates a heterodisperse droplets.

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is bcp0056-0588-f3.jpg

Relationship between particle size and lung deposition. (Reprinted with permission of the author [32].)

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is bcp0056-0588-f4.jpg

Frequency (a) and cumulative (b) distribution curves for Beclovent metered dose inhaler (MDI) used with an Aerochamber, in terms of number of particles and volume (mass) of particles vs. particle aerodynamic diameter. The book distribution curves are displaced to the correct of the number distribution curves. The smaller number of big particles within the aerosol carry the greater mass of the drug; this is reflected in the larger, 2nd peak of the volume distribution curve, which corresponds to the smaller second peak of the number distribution curve. Mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) is read from the cumulative distribution curve at the 50% point and if the distribution is log-normal, the geometric standard departure (GSD) tin can be calculated as the ratio of the bore at the 84.1% point to the MMAD. Particle distribution was measured using the Anderson Cascade Impactor. (Reprinted with permission of the author [72].)

Particles tin can exist deposited by inertial impaction, gravitational sedimentation or diffusion (Brownian motion) depending on their size. While deposition occurs throughout the airways, inertial impaction usually occurs in the first 10 generations of the lung, where air velocity is high and airflow is turbulent [33]. Virtually particles >10 µm are deposited in the oropharyngeal region with a large amount impacting on the larynx, particularly when the drug is inhaled from devices requiring a high inspiratory flow charge per unit (DPIs) or when the drug is dispensed from a device at a high forward velocity (MDIs) [34, 35]. The large particles are after swallowed and contribute minimally, if at all, to the therapeutic response. Ane example is fluticasone propionate, with its poor oral absorption demonstrated past similar plasma levels when inhaled from an MDI or an MDI + spacer. Hence the oral component of the inhaled dose provides no added therapeutic benefit. In contrast are drugs that can exist absorbed orally including salbutamol and terbutaline, that when swallowed can produce a delayed therapeutic response. In the tracheobronchial region, inertial impaction also plays a meaning role in the deposition of particles, particularly at bends and airway bifurcations. Deposition past gravitational sedimentation predominates in the last five to six generations of airways (smaller bronchi and bronchioles), where air velocity is low [33]. In the alveolar region, air velocity is negligible, and thus the contribution to deposition by inertial impaction is nil. Particles in this region accept a longer residence time and are deposited by both sedimentation and improvidence. Particles non deposited during inhalation are exhaled. Deposition due to sedimentation affects particles down to 0.5 µm in diameter, whereas below 0.five µm, the principal mechanism for deposition is by diffusion.

Targeting the droplets to conducting or peripheral airways can exist accomplished past altering the particle size of the aerosol and/or the inspiratory period charge per unit. It is hard to predict the actual site of deposition, since airway calibre and anatomy differ amidst people, just in general, aerosols with a MMAD of 5–ten µm are mainly deposited in the large conducting airways and oropharyngeal region [36]. Particles 1–5 µm in diameter are deposited in the small airways and alveoli with >50% of the 3 µm diameter particles existence deposited in the alveolar region. In the example of pulmonary drug delivery for systemic absorption, aerosols with a small particle size would exist required to ensure peripheral penetration of the drug [37]. Particles <3 µm take an approximately 80% risk of reaching the lower airways with 50–lx% beingness deposited in the alveoli [23, 38]. Since this is a new area of scientific research, the most constructive particle size for the treatment of systemic diseases has non been adamant.

The clearance mechanisms of the lung

Similar all major points of contact with the external environment, the lung has evolved to prevent the invasion of unwanted airborne particles from entering the body. Airway geometry, humidity and clearance mechanisms contribute to this filtration procedure. The challenge in developing therapeutic aerosols is to produce an aerosol that eludes the lung's various lines of defence.

Airway geometry and humidity

Progressive branching and narrowing of the airways encourage impaction of particles. The larger the particle size, the greater the velocity of incoming air, the greater the bend angle of bifurcations and the smaller the airway radius, the greater the probability of deposition by impaction [39]. The lung has a relative humidity of approximately 99.5%. The add-on and removal of water tin can significantly affect the particle size of a hygroscopic droplets and thus degradation [40]. Drug particles are known to be hygroscopic and grow or compress in size in loftier humidity, such every bit in the lung, as demonstrated in Figure 5. A hygroscopic droplets that is delivered at relatively depression temperature and humidity into one of high humidity and temperature would be expected to increment in size when inhaled into the lung. The charge per unit of growth is a function of the initial bore of the particle, with the potential for the bore of fine particles <one µm to increase v-fold compared with ii-to-three-fold for particles >2 µm [41]. The increase in particle size above the initial size should affect the amount of drug deposited and particularly, the distribution of the aerosolized drug within the lung. Ferron and colleagues [42, 43] accept predicted that for initial sizes betwixt 0.seven µm and 10 µm, full deposition of hygroscopic aerosols increases past a factor of 2. Withal, Xu and Yu [44] demonstrated that for NaCl particles with an initial size of 0.ane µm, the distribution pattern in the airways was similar to that for nonhygroscopic particles of the same size with diffusion remaining the primary mechanism of degradation. Using 2D-imaging to detect degradation changes may be unsuccessful. A two-to-three-fold increase in bore would not markedly change the visible distribution pattern of these submicron gas-like aerosols. The total deposited dose may decrease only the resolution of electric current imaging techniques is not great enough to distinguish the shifts in generations in this peripheral lung region. For particles with an initial size of 1 µm, Xu and Yu were able to predict changes in the distribution pattern due to particle growth. The calculations showed a shift from degradation due to sedimentation to primarily impaction on more than central airways [43].

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is bcp0056-0588-f5.jpg

Illustration of hygroscopic growth and shrinkage of hypertonic and hypotonic droplets of the same initial size (3.seven µm) in the humid environment of the respiratory tract. (From Phipps PR et al. Regional degradation of saline aerosols of different tonicities in normal and asthmatic subjects. Eur Respir J 1994; seven: 1474–1482 [xl].)

Lung clearance mechanisms

In one case deposited in the lungs, inhaled drugs are either cleared from the lungs, absorbed into the systemic circulation or degraded via drug metabolism. Drug particles deposited in the conducting airways are primarily removed through mucociliary clearance and, to a bottom extent, are absorbed through the airway epithelium into the blood or lymphatic system. Ciliated epithelium extends from the trachea to the terminal bronchioles. The airway epithelial goblet cells and submucosal glands secrete mucus forming a two-layer mucus blanket over the ciliated epithelium: a depression-viscosity periciliary or sol layer covered past a high-viscosity gel layer. Insoluble particles are trapped in the gel layer and are moved toward the pharynx (and ultimately to the alimentary canal) by the upwards motility of mucus generated by the metachronous beating of cilia. In the normal lung, the charge per unit of mucus movement varies with the airway region and is adamant past the number of ciliated cells and their trounce frequency. Movement is faster in the trachea than in the small airways and is affected by factors influencing ciliary functioning and the quantity and quality of fungus [35, 45]. For normal mucociliary clearance to occur, airway epithelial cells must exist intact, ciliary structure and activity normal, the depth and chemical composition of the sol layer optimal and the rheology of the mucus within the physiological range. Mucociliary clearance is dumb in lung diseases such as immotile cilia syndrome, bronchiectasis, CF and asthma [46]. In immotile cilia syndrome and bronchiectasis, the ciliary function can be either impaired or non-existent. In CF, the ciliary structure and office are normal, but the copious amounts of thick, tenacious mucus present in the airways impairs their ability to clear the mucus effectively [47]. In these diseases, clearance of aerosolized drugs deposited in the conducting airways generally is decreased and secretions are cleared from the lung by cough [48–50].

In add-on to mucociliary clearance, soluble particles also can be removed by absorptive mechanisms in the conducting airways [51]. Lipophilic molecules pass easily through the airway epithelium via passive transport. Hydrophilic molecules cross via extracellular pathways, such every bit tight junctions, or by agile transport via endocytosis and exocytosis [52]. From the submucosal region, particles are captivated into either the systemic circulation, bronchial circulation or lymphatic system.

Drugs deposited in the alveolar region may be phagocytosed and cleared by alveolar macrophages or absorbed into the pulmonary circulation. Alveolar macrophages are the predominant phagocytic cell for the lung defence force against inhaled microorganisms, particles and other toxic agents. There are approximately five to vii alveolar macrophages per air sac in the lungs of good for you nonsmokers [53]. Macrophages phagocytose insoluble particles that are deposited in the alveolar region and are either cleared by the lymphatic system or moved into the ciliated airways forth currents in alveolar fluid and then cleared via the mucociliary escalator [31]. This process can have weeks to months to complete [54]. Soluble drug particles deposited in the alveolar region can be captivated into the systemic circulation, as discussed above. The pulmonary epithelium appears to be more resistant to soluble particle transport than the endothelium or the interstitium [37]. The rate of poly peptide assimilation from the alveoli is size dependent. Effros and Stonemason [37] demonstrated an inverse relationship between alveolar permeability and molecular weight. In rats, later intratracheal instillation of DDAVP (ane-desamino-viii-d-arginine vasopressin) (chiliad wt ane.1 kDa), peak serum DDAVP levels occurred at 1 h compared with xvi–24 h after intratracheal instillation of albumin (thou wt 67 kDa) [38]. Withal, some proteins are cleared from the lung more rapidly than expected for their size. After intratracheal instillation or aerosolization of human growth hormone (yard wt 22 kDa), peak serum levels were observed at 0.5–iv h, indicating a rapid, saturable clearance from the lung that is suggestive of receptor-mediated endocytosis [31].

Very footling is known well-nigh how the drug-metabolizing activities of the lung affect the concentration and therapeutic efficacy of inhaled drugs. All metabolizing enzymes found in the liver are establish to a lesser extent in the lung (CYP450 enzymes are 5–20 times lower than in liver) distributed throughout the conducting airways and alveoli [55–57]. Phase 1 cytochrome-450 (CYP450) enzymes, flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMO), monoamine oxidase (MAO), aldehyde dehyrogenase, NADPH-CYP450 reductase, for example, are all present in the lung. The monooxygenase system metabolizes fatty acids, steroids and lipophilic xenobiotics. Esterase nowadays in high concentrations in alveolar macrophages, and to a lesser caste in alveolar blazon I and Two cells, hydrolyses beclomethasone dipropionate to its monopropionate and beclomethasone. The human lung, however, appears to be a poor site for sulphation. Proteins and peptides are bailiwick to hydrolysis by proteases, such every bit neutral endopeptidase and cathepsin H, present in the lung. The extent to which various proteins and peptides are metabolized is unclear. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is believed to exist completely degraded during the passage across the pulmonary epithelium and into the bloodstream [31, 58, 59]. Sources for the proteases are the alveolar macrophages and other inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils. Since these enzymes play a central function in the degradation of proteins and peptides, the effect of delivering aerosolized proteins and peptides to inflamed lungs where the level of proteases is higher, is unknown but may impair their efficacy [30]. Co-administration with protease inhibitors, such as bacitracin and sodium glycocholate, have been shown to reduce the metabolism of proteins and thereby ameliorate pulmonary absorption [60, 61]. Yet, for near proteins degradation in the alveoli is non a major clearance machinery, with >95% of proteins, including insulin, being absorbed intact from the lung periphery [31, 59].

Deposition in lung illness

Bronchoconstriction, inflammation and airway narrowing alter lung deposition. Respiratory diseases, such equally CF and bronchiectasis, change the architecture of the lung through alterations in bifurcation angles and obstruction of the airways due to mucus accumulation, modifying the deposition and distribution patterns of aerosols. A decrease in the cross-exclusive surface area of the lung acquired by obstruction increases air velocities and turbulence in regions where the airflow is normally laminar. Airway obstruction diverts inspired air to unobstructed airways and, thus, very lilliputian drug is deposited in obstructed areas, oftentimes the areas that need to be reached in club to attain the optimal therapeutic result of the drug. In an obstructed lung, the aerosolized drug will be deposited more than centrally in the lungs by inertial impaction compared with the uniform distribution achieved in the normal lung, as seen in Figure 6[62, 63]. Pavia and colleagues [64] demonstrated that the depth of deposition was positively correlated with a patient'southward FEV1. Patients with COPD have a significantly lower aerosol penetration than good for you volunteers (Effigy 7) [65–67]. However, if their FEV1 is increased through bronchodilation, an increase in peripheral penetration of drug particles tin occur (Figure 8). Laube and colleagues studied the effect of bronchial obstruction on fundamental airway deposition of a radioaerosol (MMAD one.12 µm) [68]. They found that bronchial obstacle enhanced cardinal airway degradation with clearance of the radioaerosol inversely correlated with FEV1. Near l% of the radioaerosol was cleared from the lung after 97 min in those patients with an FEVi of 30–twoscore% compared with <10% when FEVane was >80%. In patients with depression FEVane (severe obstacle), droplets distribution was extremely uneven with predominately central airway deposition compared with the uniform distribution characteristic of patients with unobstructed airways. Ilowite et al. [18] too reported an changed correlation between FEV1 and key airway deposition in patients with CF. At that place was a wide variation in deposited droplets with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 60.ii% among patients. When animate patterns were controlled, the variation in deposition decreased to a CV of 18.half-dozen%, highlighting the importance of breathing blueprint on the deposition of aerosols.

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is bcp0056-0588-f6.jpg

A section of sequential coronal lung slices (from anterior to posterior) post-obit inhalation of a iv.5-µm eighteenfluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) aerosol in (A) normal volunteer with forced expiratory capacity in ane southward (FEV1) of 98% predicted (images on left side) and (B) cystic fibrosis (CF) patient with FEV1 of 57% predicted (images on right side). A uniform distribution of the aerosol is seen in the normal lung compared with the not-compatible, central distribution of the same droplets in CF. (Reproduced with permission of the author [63].)

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is bcp0056-0588-f7.jpg

Differences in the lung distribution of the same radioactive aerosol among normals, smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD) subjects. Inner zone represents centrally deposited aerosol and outer represents the aerosol deposited peripherally, both expressed every bit striped columns. The inner : outer ratio is expressed by solid cavalcade. Deposition in the periphery of the lung is greatly decreased in COPD and to a lesser extent in smokers compared with normals. The opposite is seen in the fundamental airways, with more droplets beingness deposited in this region for subjects with COPD and smokers. The inner : outer ratio illustrates the unlike pattern of deposition in the three groups. (Reprinted with permission of writer [67].)

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is bcp0056-0588-f8.jpg

Positron emission tomography scans (i case per plane) showing marked improvement in ventilation post-bronchodilator in an asthmatic subject. Deposition of 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) aerosol (one.5 µm MMD) was poor presalbutamol. (Reproduced with permission from writer [63].)

Bronchial circulation

The lung receives the entire cardiac output and thus is the all-time perfused organ in the body. However, only the alveolar region and respiratory bronchioles are supplied by the pulmonary circulation. Blood flow to the larger airways (trachea to final bronchioles) is via the systemic circulation and these airways receive approximately 1% of the cardiac output [69]. The office of the bronchial circulation in distributing aerosolized drugs to regions distal from the original site of deposition or to nonventilated regions of the lung is unknown. The endobronchial circulation is recirculated to the peripheral airways and lung parenchyma via the bronchial veins and right atrium. Bronchial blood flow is augmented in diseases, such as bronchiectasis, from 1% to every bit much every bit 30% of cardiac output. In sheep, bronchial claret menses increased with antigen- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction [70]. Theoretically, inhaled drugs that are absorbed into the circulation from the tracheobronchial regions can exist redistributed downstream and peripheral to airway obstructions, into otherwise poorly accessible areas of the lung which may aid in the drug's efficacy [70, 71]. Thus far, no experimental piece of work in humans has been done to investigate the office of bronchial circulation in lung distribution of inhaled medications or its influence on their efficacy.

Conclusions

As the finish organ for the treatment of local diseases or as the road of administration for systemic therapies, the lung is a very attractive target for drug delivery. It provides direct access the site of disease for the treatment of respiratory diseases without the inefficiencies and unwanted effects of systemic drug delivery. It provides an enormous surface expanse and a relatively depression enzymatic, controlled environment for systemic absorption of medications. But it is non without barriers. Airway geometry, humidity, clearance mechanisms and presence of lung illness influence the deposition of aerosols and therefore influence the therapeutic effectiveness of inhaled medications. A drug's efficacy may be affected by the site of deposition in the respiratory tract and the delivered dose to that site. To provide an efficient and constructive inhalant therapy, these factors must be considered. Aerosol particle size characteristics tin play an important role in fugitive the physiological barriers of the lung, as well every bit targeting the drug to the appropriate lung region. The type of inhalation devices and drug conception are determinants of the drug aerosol'due south particle size. In Part II, the inhalational delivery devices' and drug formulations' consequence on the therapeutic effectiveness of aerosolized drug therapy volition be reviewed.

References

1. Dolovich Thou. New propellant-costless technologies under investigation. J Droplets Med. 1999;12(Suppl i):s9–s17. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

2. Welbanks L, editor. Compendium of pharmaceuticals and specialties. 35. Ottawa, Ontario: CPS Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2000. [Google Scholar]

3. Byron PR. Inhalation devices. In: D'Arcy PF, Mcelnay JC, editors. The pharmacy and pharmacotherapy of asthma. Chichester: Ellis Horwood Ltd; 1989. pp. 47–69. [Google Scholar]

4. Ruffin RE, Dolovich MB, Wolff RK, Newhouse MT. The furnishings of preferential deposition of histamine in the human airway. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1978;117:485–492. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

5. Carstairs JR, Nimmo AJ, Barnes PJ. Autoradiographic visualization of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in human being lung. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1985;132:541–547. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

half-dozen. Mak JCW, Barnes PJ. Autoradiographic visualization of muscarinic receptor subtypes in human and republic of guinea pig lung. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1990;141:1559–1568. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

seven. Kraft G, Djukanovic R, Wilson S, Holgate ST, Martin RJ. Alveolar tissue inflammation in asthma. Am J Respir Crit Intendance Med. 1996;154:1505–1510. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

8. Carroll Due north, Cooke C, James A. The distribution of eosinophils and lymphocytes in the big and small airways of asthmatics. Eur Respir J. 1997;x:292–300. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

nine. Johnson MA, Newman SP, Bloom R, Talaee N, Clarke SW. Delivery of albuterol and ipratropium bromide from two nebulizer systems in chronic stable asthma. Efficacy Pulmonary Degradation Chest. 1989;96:6–x. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

ten. Rees PJ, Clark TJ, Moren F. The importance of particle size in response to inhaled bronchodilators. Eur J Resp Dis. 1982;119(Suppl):73–78. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

11. Zanen P, Go LT, Lammers J-WJ. The optimal particle size for β-adrenergic aerosols in mild asthmatics. Int J Pharmaceutics. 1994;107:211–217. [Google Scholar]

12. Zanen P, Become LT, Lammers J-WJ. Optimal particle size for β2 agonist and anticholinergic aerosols in patients with severe airflow obstruction. Thorax. 1996;51:977–980. [PMC complimentary article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

thirteen. Baskin ML, Abd AG, Ilowite JS. Regional deposition of aerosolized pentamidine. Effects of body position on animate pattern. Ann Intern Med. 1990;113:677–683. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

14. Gerrity TR, Garrard CS, Yeates DB. Theoretical analysis of sites of aerosol degradation in the human being lung. Chest. 1981;80(Suppl half dozen):898–901. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

fifteen. Baltimore RS, Christie CDC, Walker Smith GJ. Immunohistopathologic localization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in lungs from patients with cystic fibrosis. Implications for the pathogenesis of progressive lung deterioration. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989;140:1650–1661. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

16. Potts SB, Roggli VL, Spock A. Immunohistologic quantification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the tracheobronchial tree from patients with cystic fibrosis. Pediatric Pathol Lab Med. 1995;15:707–721. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

17. Alderson PO, Secker-Walker RH, Stominger DB, et al. Pulmonary deposition of aerosols in children with cystic fibrosis. J Pediatr. 1974;84:479–484. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

18. Ilowite JS, Gorvoy JD, Smaldone GC. Quantitative deposition of aerosolized gentamicin in cystic fibrosis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;136:1445–1449. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

19. Anderson PJ, Blanchard JD, Encephalon JD, Feldman HA, McNamara JJ, Heyder J. Effect of cystic fibrosis on inhaled aerosol boluses. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989;140:1317–1324. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

20. Wolff RK. Safety of inhaled proteins for therapeutic use. J Droplets Med. 1998;11:197–219. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

21. Byron PR, Patton JS. Drug commitment via the respiratory tract. J Aerosol Med. 1994;7:49–75. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

22. Cole RB, Mackay Ad, editors. Essentials of respiratory disease. three. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1990. Concepts of pulmonary physiology; pp. 49–lx. [Google Scholar]

23. Patton JS. Mechanisms of macromolecule assimilation by the lungs. Avant-garde Drug Commitment Rev. 1996;19:three–36. [Google Scholar]

24. Farr ST, Gonda I, Licko V. Physicochemical and physiological factors influencing the effectiveness of inhaled insulin. In: Dalby RN, Byron PR, Farr ST, editors. Respiratory drug delivery. 6. Buffalo Grove, IL: Interpharm Press Inc.; 1998. pp. 25–33. [Google Scholar]

25. Laube BL, Georgopoulos A, Adams GKI. Preliminary study of the efficacy of insulin aerosol delivered by oral inhalation in diabetic patients. JAMA. 1993;269:2106–2109. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

26. Jendle JH, Karlberg BE. Effects of intrapulmonary insulin in patients with not-insulin-dependent diabetes. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1996;56:555–561. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

27. Jendle JH, Karlberg BE. Intrapulmonary assistants of insulin to good for you volunteers. J Intern Med. 1996;240:93–98. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

28. Laube BL, Benedict GW, Dobs AS. Time to meridian insulin level, relative bioavailability, and effect of size of deposition of nebulized insulin in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Aerosol Med. 1998;eleven:153–173. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

29. Heinemann 50, Traut T, Heise T. Time–activity profile of inhaled insulin. Diabet Med. 1997;xiv:63–72. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

30. Ma JKH, Bhat M, Rojanasakul Y. Drug metabolism and enzyme kinetics in the lung. In: Lenfant C, editor. Inhalation aerosolsPhysical and biological footing for therapy. New York: Marcel Dekker Inc.; 1996. pp. 155–195. 94. [Google Scholar]

31. Folkesson HG, Matthey MA, Westrom BR, Kim KJ, Karlsson BW, Hastings RH. Alveolar epithelial clearance of protein. J Appl Physiol. 1996;80:1431–1445. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

32. Dolovich MB, Newhouse MT. Aerosols. Generation, methods of administration, and therapeutic applications in asthma. In: Middleton E Jr, Reed CE, Ellis EF, Adkinson NF Jr, Yunginger JW, Busse WW, editors. AllergyPrinciples and practice. 4. St Louis: Mosby Yr Book, Inc.; 1993. pp. 712–739. [Google Scholar]

33. Lourenco RV, Cotromanes E. Clinical aerosols. I. Characterization of aerosols and their diagnositic uses. Arch Intern Med. 1982;142:2163–2172. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

34. Heyder J. Particle transport onto human airway surfaces. Eur J Respir Dis. 1982;63(Suppl 119):29–50. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

35. Brain JD, Blanchard JD. Mechanisms of aerosol degradation and clearance. In: Moren F, Newhouse MT, Dolovich MB, editors. Aerosols in MedicinePrinciples, diagnosis and therapy. 2. New York: Elsevier Scientific discipline Publishers (Biomedical Division); 1993. pp. 117–156. [Google Scholar]

36. Gerrity TR. Pathophysiological and disease constraints on aerosol deposition. In: Byron PR, editor. Respiratory drug delivery. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Printing, Inc.; 1990. pp. 1–38. [Google Scholar]

37. Effros RM, Mason GR. Measurements of pulmonary epithelial permeability in vivo. Am Rev Resp Dis. 1983;127(Suppl):s59–s66. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

38. Folkesson HG, Westrom BR, Karlsson BW. Permeability of the respiratory tract to different-sized macromolecules after intratracheal instillation in immature and adult rats. Acta Physiol Scand. 1990;139:347–354. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

39. Newman SP. Aerosol deposition considerations in inhalation therapy. Chest. 1985;88(Suppl):152s–60s. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

xl. Phipps PR, Gonda I, Anderson SD, Bailey D, Bautovich Thou. Regional deposition of saline aerosols of different tonicities in normal and asthmatic subjects. Eur Resp J. 1994;vii:1474–1482. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

41. Swift DL. Aerosols and humidity therapy: generation and respiratory degradation of therapeutic aerosols. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1980;122:71–91. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

42. Ferron GA, Hornik S, Kreyling WG, Haider B. Comparison of experimental and calculated data for the full and regional degradation in the homo lung. J Aerosol Sci. 1985;16:133–143. [Google Scholar]

43. Ferron GA, Oberdörster G, Henneberg R. Estimation of the deposition of aerosolized drugs in the man respiratory tract due to hygroscopic growth. J Aerosol Med. 1989;2:271–284. [Google Scholar]

44. Xu GB, Yu CP. Theoretical lung deposition of hygroscopic NaCl aerosols. Aerosol Sci Technol. 1985;4:455–461. [Google Scholar]

45. Smaldone GC, Perry RJ, Bennett WD, Messina MS, Zwang J, Ilowite J. Interpretation of '24 hr lung memory' in studies of mucociliary clearance. J Aerosol Med. 1988;1:11–20. [Google Scholar]

46. Houtmeyers E, Gosselink R, Gayan-Ramirez One thousand, Decramer M. Regulation of mucociliary clearance in health and affliction. Eur Respir J. 1999;thirteen:1177–1188. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

47. Rossman CM, Lee RMKW, Forrest JB, Newhouse MT. Nasal ciliary ultrastructure and function in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia compared with that in normal subjects and in subjects with various respiratory diseases. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984;129:161–167. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

48. Isawa T, Teshima T, Hirano T, et al. Mucociliary clearance and ship in bronchiectasis: global and regional assessment. J Nucl Med. 1990;31:543–548. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

49. Robinson M, Bye PTB. Mucociliary clearance in cystic fibrosis. Pediatric Pulmonol. 2002;33:293–306. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

fifty. Rossman CM, Waldes OR, Sampson D, Newhouse MT. Effect of breast physiotherapy on the removal of mucus in patients with cystic fibrosis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1982;126:131–135. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

51. Edsbacker S. Uptake, retention and biotransformation of corticosteroids in the lung and airways. In: Schleimer RP, O'Byrne PM, Szefler SJ, Brattsand R, editors. Inhaled steroids in asthmaOptimizing furnishings in the airways. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.; 2002. pp. 213–246. [Google Scholar]

52. Summers QA. Inhaled drugs and the lung. Clin Exp Allergy. 1991;21:259–268. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

53. Rock KC, Mercer RR, Gehr P, Stockstill B, Crapo JD. Allometric relationship of cell numbers and size in the mammalian lung. Am J Respir Jail cell Mol Biol. 1992;half-dozen:235–243. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

54. Martonen TB. Mathematical model for the selective deposition of inhaled pharmaceuticals. J Pharmaceut Sci. 1993;82:1191–1199. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

55. Upton RN, Doolette DJ. Kinetic aspects of drug disposition in the lungs. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 1999;26:381–391. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

56. Krishna DR, Klotz U. Extrahepatic metabolism of drugs in humans. Clin Pharmacokinetics. 1994;26:144–160. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

57. Dahl AR, Lewis JL. Respiratory tract uptake of inhalants and metabolism of xenobiotics. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 1993;32:383–407. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

58. Barrowcliffe MPA, Jones JG, Sever PS. Pulmonary clearance of vasoactive intestinal peptide. Thorax. 1986;41:88–93. [PMC gratis commodity] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

59. Hastings RH, Grady M, Sakuma T, Matthay MA. Clearance of different-sized proteins from the alveolar infinite in humans and rabbits. J Appl Physiol. 1992;73:1310–1316. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

60. Yamamoto A, Umemoir S, Muranishi S. Assimilation enhancement of intrapulmonary administered insulin by various absorption enhancers and proteases inhibitors in rats. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1994;46:xiv–eighteen. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

61. Morita T, Yamamoto A, Takakura Y, Hashida M, Sezaki H. Improvement of the pulmonary absorption of (Asu1,seven)–Eel calcitonin by various protease inhibitors in rats. Pharmaceut Res. 1994;11:909–913. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

62. Lourenco RV, Loddenkemper R, Carton RW. Patterns of distribution and clearance of aerosols in patients with bronchiectasis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1972;106:857–866. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

63. Dolovich 1000, Nahmias C, Coates G. Unleashing the PET. 3D imaging of the lung. In: Dalby RN, Byron PR, Farr ST, et al., editors. Respiratory drug delivery VIIBiological, pharmaceutical, clinical and regulatory issues relating to optimized drug delivery by droplets. vii. Raleigh, NC: Serentec Press, Inc.; 2000. pp. 215–230. [Google Scholar]

64. Pavia D, Thomson ML, Clarke SW, Shannon HS. Event of lung part and fashion of inhalation on penetration of aerosol into the human lung. Thorax. 1977;32:194–197. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

65. Dolovich M, Ryan G, Newhouse MT. Aerosol penetration into the lung. Influence on airway responses. Chest. 1981;80(Suppl 6):834–836. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

66. Sanchis J, Dolovich MB, Rossman C, Newhouse MT. Lung clearance in patients with airways obstruction. Bull Physio-Path Resp. 1973;9:325–335. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

67. Dolovich MB, Sanchis J, Rossman C, Newhouse MT. Droplets penetrance: a sensitive index of peripheral airway obstruction. J Appl Physiol. 1976;twoscore:468–471. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

68. Laube BL, Swift DL, Wagner HN, Norman PS, Adams GKI. The effect of bronchial obstruction on central airway deposition of a saline aerosol in patients with asthma. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1986;133:740–743. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

69. Nunn JF, editor. Applied respiratory physiology. 4. London: Butterworths; 1993. [Google Scholar]

70. Deffebach ME, Charan NB, Lakshminarayan S, Butler J. The bronchial apportionment. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;135:463–481. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

71. Ryrfeldt A. The bronchial apportionment – a significant local distribution system in the lung, in inhalation therapy? J Aerosol Med. 1990;3:165–168. [Google Scholar]

72. Dolovich MB. Aerosols. In: Barnes PJ, Grunstein MM, editors. Asthma. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; 1997. pp. 1349–1366. [Google Scholar]


Articles from British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology are provided here courtesy of British Pharmacological Social club


powellsequith.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1884307/

0 Response to "ways to apply what you leared about respirtory medication"

Post a Comment

Iklan Atas Artikel

Iklan Tengah Artikel 1

Iklan Tengah Artikel 2

Iklan Bawah Artikel