No abstract

High-velocity powder injection is a promising new drug-delivery technique that provides needle- and pain-free delivery of traditional drugs, drugs from biotechnology such as proteins, peptides, and oligonucleotides as well as traditional and genetic vaccines. The energy of a transient helium gas jet accelerates fine drug particles of 20 microns-100 microns diameter to high velocities and delivers them into skin or mucosal sites. This review describes the configuration and operating principles of devices that accelerate the particles, the required properties of the particles, the characteristics of the target tissues, and features of the developmental test methods. Preclinical and clinical results that best characterize the technology and introduce its potential as a drug-delivery platform are presented.

To determine the role of endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in the regulation of food intake, the effects of the potent CCK receptor antagonist L364,718 were investigated on the intake of a palatable diet in non‐deprived rats. The effect of a single dose of proglumide was also investigated for comparative purposes. In addition, the ability of L364,718 to antagonize the reduction in food intake produced by exogenous cholecystokinin‐octapeptide (CCK8) or bombesin in food‐deprived rats was determined. L364,718 (10–100 μg kg−1, i.p.) increased the intake of palatable diet during the 30 min test period. Proglumide (300 mg kg−1, i.p.) also increased the intake of palatable diet. Conversely, CCK8 (0.5–5 μg kg−1, i.p.) produced a reduction in the intake of the diet. In fasted rats, L364,718 (100 μg kg−1, i.p.) antagonized the reduction in food intake produced by CCK8 (10 μg kg−1, i.p.) but not that produced by bombesin (50 μg kg−1, i.p.). L364,718 did not increase food intake in these animals when measured over a 6 h period. It is concluded that L364,718 is a potent, selective antagonist of the effects of CCK8 on food intake. The observation that L364,718 and proglumide increase the intake of a palatable diet provides some evidence that endogenous CCK is involved in the control of food intake in this model.

Administration of sumatriptan intranasally at doses of 10 mg and 20 mg by the breath actuated bi-directional powder delivery device results in rapid absorption. Delivery to target sites beyond the nasal valve induced a similar EEG profile to subcutaneous sumatriptan 6 mg and prevented migraine attacks in patients following GTN challenge. Intranasal administration of sumatriptan powder with the breath actuated bi-directional powder delivery device was well tolerated.

Administration of sumatriptan intranasally at doses of 10 mg and 20 mg by the breath actuated bi-directional powder delivery device results in rapid absorption. Delivery to target sites beyond the nasal valve induced a similar EEG profile to subcutaneous sumatriptan 6 mg and prevented migraine attacks in patients following GTN challenge. Intranasal administration of sumatriptan powder with the breath actuated bi-directional powder delivery device was well tolerated.