Protein stability and functional activity during nebulization: A comparative study of three nebulizer!

Abstract Delivery of therapeutics protein to the lung offers effective treatments of lungs disease. Efficacy of delivered therapeutics molecules depends on integrity and stability of protein during nebulization. In this study, we compared three nebulizers: compressed air nebulizer (CAN), ultrasonic nebulizer (USN) and mesh nebulizer (MAN) to deliver aerosol dose, stability and functional activity of a model protein lysozyme. Lysozyme/BSA delivered dose assessed by indirect and direct method. It was shown CAN deliver 0.142±0.027 to 0.632± 0.09 ml of protein, USN deliver 0.511±0.119 to 1.688±0.173 ml and MAN deliver 0.238±0.006 to 0.731±0.013 ml of protein in the same time. Integrity of nebulized proteins were assessed by gel electrophoresis and circular diochorism. It was found integrity of lysozyme compromised in all three nebulizer maximum in CAN and minimum with MAN. The functional activity of protein was assessed after nebulization by turbidometry assay. The functional activity was compromised by all three nebulizer upto some extent. In conclusion, nebulization compromise protein stability: this impact depend on nebulization techniques as well as nature of protein. The CAN deliver protein more precisely in small amount in comparison to the other nebulizer. Abstract Figure Graphical Abstract