Evaluation of the possibilities of using albumin microspheres for radioaerosol study of the deposition of inhaled substances and mucociliary clearance

Abstract

The need to study and evaluate the leading protective mechanisms of the respiratory system remains one of the key, but unresolved problems of modern medicine, concerning both radiation hygiene and toxicology, and pulmonology. The model of the respiratory tract presented by the ICRP only partially addresses them, significantly limiting the feasibility and possibilities of its use. The solution of this problem undoubtedly contributes to the improvement of methods of prevention and treatment from the effects of incorporative radionuclides entering by inhalation, as well as methods for diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases aimed at the earliest stages of their pathogenesis, given that the processes of deposition of inhaled substances and lung clearance directly depend both therapeutic and pathogenic effects. This is especially relevant when there is a danger of contamination with radioactive waste, when there is an urgent need to deal with highly pathogenic influence and its consequences. The most informative method for studying the processes of deposition inhalant and mucociliary clearance is radioaerosol. However, due to the circumstances, there are no radiopharmaceuticals that could be used for such a study since the 2000s, which prompted us to carry out this work. At the same time, albumin microspheres labeled with 99mTc are considered potentially suitable, but not studied radiopharmaceuticals in this regard. The aim of the work was to study the aerodynamic properties of albumin microspheres and evaluate the possibilities of their use for radioaerosol study of the processes of deposition of inhaled substances and mucociliary clearance. The aerodynamic properties of albumin micro[1]spheres were studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy by studying their dry dispersion, initial and obtained from its suspension in distilled water, generated by an ultrasonic inhaler according to the developed technology. The results indicated that the dispersible particles were characterized by sphericity, clear boundary differentiation and a relatively homogeneous distribution of particles with a relatively narrow size range (spread 1-2.5 µm) and little conglomeration, as well as a smooth surface. Conclusion. The investigated albumin microspheres are suitable for radioaerosol study of the processes of deposition of inhaled substances and mucociliary clearance.