Determination of the kinematic viscosity by the liquid rise in a capillary tube

Respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, and COVID-19 are difficult to treat owing to viscous secretions in the airways that evade mucocilliary clearance. Earlier studies have shown success with BromAc as a mucolytic agent. Hence, we tested the formulation on two gelatinous airway representative sputa models, to determine whether similar efficacy exist. Sputum lodged in an endotracheal tube was treated to aerosol N-acetylcysteine, bromelain, or their combination (BromAc). After measuring the particle size of aerosolized BromAc, the apparent viscosity was measured using a capillary tube method, whilst the sputum flow was assessed using a 0.5 mL pipette. Further, the concentration of the agents in the sputa after treatment were quantified using chromogenic assays. The interaction index of the different formulations was also determined. Results indicated that the mean particle size of BromAc was suitable for aerosol delivery. Bromelain and N-acetylcysteine affected both the viscosities and pipette flow in the two sputa models. BromAc showed a greater rheological effect on both the sputa models compared to individual agents. Further, a correlation was found between the rheological effects and the concentration of agents in the sputa. The combination index using viscosity measurements showed synergy only with 250 µg/mL bromelain + 20 mg/mL NAC whilst flow speed showed synergy for both combinations of bromelain (125 and 250 µg/mL) with 20 mg/mL NAC. Hence, this study indicates that BromAc may be used as a successful mucolytic for clearing airway congestion caused by thick mucinous immobile secretions.

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“…Apparent viscosity (γ) of sputum was measured using the capillary tube method as outlined in reference [ 37 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Nebulized BromAc on Rheology of Artificial Sputum: Relevance to Muco-Obstructive Respiratory Diseases

Pillai

Mekkawy

Akhter

et al. 2023

Advances in Respiratory Medicine

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“…Dynamic viscosity (γ) of sputum was measured using the capillary tube method as outlined by Santander and Castellano [42].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of nebulised BromAc^® on rheology of artificial sputum: relevance to muco-obstructive respiratory diseases including COVID-19

Pillai

Mekkawy

Valle

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, bronchiectasis asthma and COVID-19 are difficult to treat owing to viscous secretions in the airways that evade mucocilliary clearance. Since earlier studies have shown success with BromAc as mucolytic agent for treating a rare disease known as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), we tested the formulation on two gelatinous airway representative sputa models, in order to determine whether similar efficacy exist. The sputum (1.5 ml) lodged in an endotracheal tube was treated to aerosolised N-acetylcysteine, bromelain, or their combination (BromAc) using a nebuliser with 6.0 ml of the agents in phosphate buffer saline, over 25 min. Controls received phosphate buffer saline. The dynamic viscosity was measured before and after treatment using a capillary tube method, whilst the sputum flow (ml/sec) was assessed using a 0.5 ml pipette. Finally, the sequestered agents (concentration) in the sputa after treatment were quantified using standard bromelain and N-acetylcysteine chromogenic assays. Results indicated that bromelain and N-acetylcysteine affected both the dynamic viscosities and pipette flow in the two sputa models, with changes in the former parameter having immense effect on the latter. BromAc showed a greater rheological effect on both the sputa models compared to individual agents. Further, correlation was found between the rheological effects and the concentration of agents in the sputa. Hence, this study indicates that BromAc may be used as a successful mucolytic for clearing airway congestion caused by thick mucinous immobile secretion, however further studies with patient sputum samples using aerosol BromAc is warranted.

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Modeling meniscus rise in capillary tubes using fluid in rigid-body motion approach

Hamdan

Abu-Nabah

2018

Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation

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Determination of the kinematic viscosity by the liquid rise in a capillary tube

Cited by 3 publications

References 14 publications

Effect of Nebulized BromAc on Rheology of Artificial Sputum: Relevance to Muco-Obstructive Respiratory Diseases

Effect of Nebulized BromAc on Rheology of Artificial Sputum: Relevance to Muco-Obstructive Respiratory Diseases

Effect of nebulised BromAc^® on rheology of artificial sputum: relevance to muco-obstructive respiratory diseases including COVID-19

Modeling meniscus rise in capillary tubes using fluid in rigid-body motion approach

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Determination of the kinematic viscosity by the liquid rise in a capillary tube

Cited by 3 publications

References 14 publications

Effect of Nebulized BromAc on Rheology of Artificial Sputum: Relevance to Muco-Obstructive Respiratory Diseases

Effect of Nebulized BromAc on Rheology of Artificial Sputum: Relevance to Muco-Obstructive Respiratory Diseases

Effect of nebulised BromAc® on rheology of artificial sputum: relevance to muco-obstructive respiratory diseases including COVID-19

Modeling meniscus rise in capillary tubes using fluid in rigid-body motion approach

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Effect of nebulised BromAc^® on rheology of artificial sputum: relevance to muco-obstructive respiratory diseases including COVID-19