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Multi-Component Microparticulate/Nanoparticulate Dry Powder Inhalation Aerosols For Targeted Pulmonary Delivery, Xiaojian Li

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

The aim of the work was to design, manufacture, and characterize targeted multi-component dry powder aerosols of (non-destructive) mucolytic agent (mannitol), antimicrobial drug (tobramycin or azithromycin), and lung surfactant mimic phospholipids (DPPC:DPPG=4:1 in molar ratio). The targeted dry powder for inhalation formulation for deep lung delivery with a built-in rationale of specifically interfering several disease factors of chronic infection diseases in deep lungs such as cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and etc. The dry powder aerosols consisting of selected chemical agents in one single formulation was generated by using spray drying from organic solution.

The physicochemical properties of multi-component dry …

Mechanisms Of Cyclooxygenase-2-Dependent Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Modulation, Oreoluwa O. Adedoyin

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a disease of the aorta characterized by pathological remodeling and progressive weakening of the vessel resulting in the increased risk of rupture and sudden death. In a mouse model of the disease induced by chronic Angiotensin II (AngII) infusion, progression of AAAs is associated with reduced differentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) at the site of lesion development. In the mouse model, the effectiveness of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition for attenuating AAA progression is associated with maintenance of a differentiated SMC phenotype. However, the safety of COX-2 inhibitors is currently in question due to the increased …

Investigating Structure And Protein-Protein Interactions Of Key Post-Type Ii Pks Tailoring Enzymes, Theresa E. Downey

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Type II polyketide synthase (PKS) produced natural products have proven to be an excellent source of pharmacologically relevant molecules due to their rich biological activities and chemical scaffolds. Type II-PKS manufactured polyketides share similar polycyclic aromatic backbones leaving their diversity to stem from various chemical additions and alterations facilitated by post-PKS tailoring enzymes. Evidence suggests that post-PKS tailoring enzymes form complexes in order to facilitate the highly orchestrated process of biosynthesis. Thus, protein-protein interactions between these enzymes must play crucial roles in their structures and functions. Despite the importance of these interactions little has been done to study them. In …

Flavonoids With Novel Nicotinic Activity As Potential Pharmacotherapies To Treat Ethanol-Induced Neurotoxicity, Joseph A. Lutz

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Ethanol causes neurotoxicity via several mechanisms at different points in the cycle of dependence, including neuroinflammation and oxidative stress during ethanol exposure as well as excitotoxicity during ethanol withdrawal. The primary therapeutic implication is that ethanol-induced neurotoxicity requires multifunctional pharmacotherapies which reduce all mechanisms. Using an innovative pharmacological high throughput screening method on a large plant extract library we discovered flavonoids with alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) activity. In addition to their well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, this novel activity means they can potentially reduce excitotoxicity and therefore makes them ideal for inhibition of ethanol-induced neurotoxicity. Rhamnetin, the candidate compound, …

Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (Pi3k) As A Therapeutic Target In Nsclc, Christopher W. Stamatkin

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Deregulated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is central to many human malignancies. The functions of this pathway are critical for normal cell metabolism, proliferation, and survival. In lung cancers, the PI3K pathway activity is often aberrantly driven by multiple mutations, including EGFR, KRAS, and PIK3CA. Molecules targeting the PI3K pathway are intensely investigated as potential anti-cancer agents. Although inhibitors of the pathway are currently in clinical trials, rational and targeted use of these compounds, alone or in combination, requires an understanding of isoform-specific activity in context. We sought to identify class IA PI3K enzyme (p110a/PIK3CA, p110b/PIK3CB, p110d/PIK3CD) activities using …