Pharmacokinetic Study Of Salbutamol Through Nose Only Exposure In CD-1 Male Mice

Pharmacokinetic studies of lung-targeted drugs often rely solely on systemic plasma measurements, which do not reflect drug concentrations at the actual site of action—the lungs. However, determining local lung concentrations is critical for evaluating the true efficiency of inhaled drug delivery. A delivery method is considered more effective when it achieves higher drug levels in the lungs compared to plasma, enhancing therapeutic benefit while minimizing systemic side effects.

Inhalation is the preferred route for treating pulmonary conditions, as it delivers the drug directly to the lungs, increasing pulmonary specificity and reducing off-target exposure. Achieving a high therapeutic ratio through this route depends on using effective delivery devices and dosing strategies that maximize lung concentration while limiting systemic absorption.

In this article, we present a study conducted by Aragen’s expert DMPK scientists to quantify both plasma and lung concentrations of the model drug Salbutamol (Asthalin respirator solution) following nose-only inhalation exposure in CD-1 male mice. The study utilized the inExpose system by SCIREQ, a compact, modular instrument designed for inhalation research under standard lab conditions, offering both nose-only and whole-body exposure capabilities for rodents.