Discrete Simulation Of Powder Dispersion In Pharmaceutical Aerosol Inhalers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$35,085.00
Summary
This project seeks to develop fundamental understanding of the dispersion mechanisms of powders as aerosol for inhalation drug delivery. It couples computational simulations using computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method with experimental dispersion analysis. Successful development of this research will lead to a comprehensive understanding of factors controlling inhaler performance and thus maximizes the therapeutic benefits to the patients.
Pharmacological Strategy For Blocking Lung Cell Damage By Toxic Smoke Constituents.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,267.00
Summary
People retrieved from burning buildings or other hazardous situations involving fires are often at risk of death due to the effects of inhaled smoke. This reflects the presence of some very toxic substances in smoke that are products of the combustion of wood, vegetation and synthetic building materials. The most toxic substance present within smoke is acrolein, a very reactive chemical that attacks cells in the lining of the lung. This can result in a life-threatening condition known as oedema, ....People retrieved from burning buildings or other hazardous situations involving fires are often at risk of death due to the effects of inhaled smoke. This reflects the presence of some very toxic substances in smoke that are products of the combustion of wood, vegetation and synthetic building materials. The most toxic substance present within smoke is acrolein, a very reactive chemical that attacks cells in the lining of the lung. This can result in a life-threatening condition known as oedema, where the lung is flooded with fluids and is unable to perform its respiratory function. At present, the clinical approaches used to treat smoke inhalation victims are mostly directed against offsetting the symptoms of lung injury and do not take into account the role of lung cell injury by toxic substances in smoke such as acrolein. This project will provide a better understanding of the chemical events underlying the injury caused by smoke to lung cells, and also into possible drug strategies for treating victims of smoke inhalation. The work will explore the ability of a range of compounds that are chemically related to a blood pressure-lowering medicine (hydralazine) to protect lung cells against such smoke-induced damage. The work will employ a range of modern research techniques to understand the events occurring in lung cells exposed to smoke. Once this is understood, these approaches will be used to test the various drug compounds for their abilities to prevent the death of cells exposed to smoke or its toxic constutuent acrolein. This work will yield new information on a series of compounds concerning their ability to block the toxicity of smoke to lung cells. The goal is to identify one or two molecules that can be carried forward to testing in smoke-exposed animals.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Epithelial Damage By The Noxious Smoke Constituent Acrolein
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$668,813.00
Summary
Due to increasing use of reactive chemicals by terrorists (e.g. chlorine gas), their effects on the lung are receiving increasing attention in the global toxicology community. This project focusses on acrolein, the major cytotoxic substance present in smoke produced on combustion of organic matter. We will explore the mechanisms whereby acrolein and high doses of smoke cause the lung to lose its watertight properties, and also test ways of preventing such damage with drugs.