Pulmonary Delivery of Powders and Solutions Containing Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (rhG-CSF) to the Rabbit

Abstract
Two powder formulations (MMAD 1/2 α = 0.6 ± 0.2 hrs, t1/2 β = 4.6 ± 0.2 hrs, n = 8). Clearance was dose dependent (11.6 ± 2.6 [500 µg/kg, n = 8] vs. 21.8 ± 3.3 ml/hr/kg [5 µg/kg, n = 5]). A normal systemic response was obtained after IF, indicating that rhG-CSF retains activity in the solid state. Dissolution and absorption of rhG-CSF from the powders were not rate limiting. The plasma concentration vs. time profiles peaked at similar times to those after IT (Tmax 1 -2 hrs) but were earlier than obtained after SC (Tmax 6-10 hrs). Powders were less efficiently dosed to the lung lobes after insufflation compared with instillates (14.7 ± 10.5 vs. 60.1 ± 10.6%), resulting in bioavailabilities ranging from 5 to 33%. Bioavailability after SC was 11.0 ± 7.0% and 95.3 ± 7.9% (n = 6) for the low and high doses, respectively.