Comparative effects of stabilizing additives on the rates of heat inactivation of recombinant human interferon...

This study was aimed at the comparative evaluation of stabilizing additives used for the protection of the antiviral activity of interferon-alpha2b against thermal inactivation, at 60 degrees C. The comparative effects of amino acids, polyhydric alcohols, saccharides and nonionic surfactants were studied. All were effective. Representing the thermal inactivation process with first order kinetics, a maximal prolongation of antiviral activity half-life of 39-fold was achieved with the most effective procedure. Inactivation rate constants varied from (53.3+/-4.6)x10(-3) to (2.5+/-0.3)x10(-3) min(-1). Human serum albumin, nonionic surfactants and monosaccharides increased half-life values by 5-39-, 5-23-, 4-20-fold, respectively. Amino acids, polyhydric alcohols and disaccharides increased t(1/2) values by 4-11-, 2-8- and 3-8-fold, respectively. These data provide useful information for the selection of stabilizing additives for IFN-alpha2b formulations.