Surface activity of surfactant spiked with vitamin A

Abstract

Background: Intramuscular injections of vitamin A decrease the risk of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. Admixture of vitamin A with surfactant as a lipophilic vehicle might be a less invasive modality.

Aim: Test physical properties of surfactant + vitamin A.

Methods: Miscibility and surface activity were tested in surfactant supplemented with retinyl-acetate, -palmitate, 13-cis-, or all-trans-retinoic acid.

Results: Retinol acetate (5000 IU/mL) demonstrated miscibility with surfactant when premixing with ethanol. Its surface activity was 40% lower compared to surfactant alone.

Conclusion: These findings warrant preclinical studies to test whether administration of vitamin A in subjects requiring surfactant is associated with beneficial functional properties.

Keywords: drug delivery; surface tension; surfactant; vitamin A.

Figure 1

Surface tension properties of surfactant (BLES^®). Maximum (max) and minimum (min) surface tension (nN/m) as determined by pulsating bubble meter in three runs as the bubble formed at the surface of the air/surfactant interface is subject to 20 pulsations per minute for 2 ½ minutes. After 25 pulsations the surface tension reaches a minimum of 2 ± 2 nN/m.

Figure 2

Surface tension properties of the mixture surfactant + retinly acetate + alcohol. Maximum (max) and minimum (min) surface tension (nN/m) as determined by pulsating bubble meter in three runs as the bubble formed at the surface of the air/surfactant admixture interface is subject to 20 pulsations per minute for 2 ½ minutes. After 25 pulsations the surface tension reaches a minimum of 13 ± 4 nN/m.