Surface activity of surfactant spiked with vitamin A

Original Research

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Authors: Vadim Bronshtein, Vugranam Venkatesh, Jas Aulakh, Philippe Chessex

Published Date August 2008 Volume 2008:2 Pages 145 - 150

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S3255

Vadim Bronshtein, Vugranam Venkatesh, Jas Aulakh, Philippe Chessex

Division of Neonatology, Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

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, vitamin A, surfactant, surface tension