Poly(ethylene carbonate)-containing polylactic acid microparticles with rifampicin improve drug delivery to macrophages.

ObjectivePulmonary delivery of antibiotics will decrease the required dose for efficient treatment of lung infections and reduce systemic side effects of the drug. The objective was to evaluate the applicability of poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC) for the preparation of inhalable, antibiotic-containing particles. MethodsRifampicin (RF)-loaded microparticles were prepared by electrospraying a carrier matrix of polylactic acid (PLA) with 0%, 5% and 10% PEC. Key findingsPrepared particles had an aerodynamic diameter between 4 and 5m. Within 60min, PEC-containing particles released 35-45% of RF, whereas PLA particles released only 15% of RF. Irrespective of particle composition, uptake of RF by macrophages was improved to 40-60% when formulated in microparticles compared to 0.4% for RF in solution, and intracellular localisation of particles was confirmed using confocal microscopy. Effect on macrophage and alveolar cell viability was similar for all particles whereas the minimal inhibitory concentrations against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli for RF-containing PEC particles were twofold lower than for PLA particles, explained by the faster release of RF from PEC-containing particles. ConclusionsThe inclusion of PEC in PLA microparticles increased the release of RF and the inhibitory effect against two bacteria species while displaying physical particle properties similar to PLA particles.