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Poly-lactic-glycolic acid microspheres: a biodegradable marker for the diagnosis of aspiration in hamsters
Chaim Springer1, Simon Benita, Yoav Sherman
1Institute of Pulmonology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel. Chaim@hadassah.org.il
Abstract:
Aspiration is a major cause of lung disease in infants and young children. As the symptoms and signs of aspiration are not specific, the diagnosis is delayed due to a low index of suspicion and low sensitivity and specificity of the available diagnostic tests. In the present study, we evaluated the utility of microspheres composed of a degradable polymer, polylactic glycolic acid (PLGA), as a marker to diagnose aspiration in hamsters. Thirty hamsters underwent direct tracheal instillation of 0.1 mL of a suspension of PLGA. Eighteen other animals served as controls and underwent tracheal instillation of 0.1 mL of saline. Three animals served as naive controls and had no tracheal instillation. Five animals from the PLGA group and three from the saline group underwent whole-lung lavage (WLL) on days 1, 8, 15, 29, 43, and 58. PLGA microspheres were easily identified under light microscopy inside the alveolar macrophages obtained from WLL in all PLGA-instilled animals during all studied days. The number and size of PLGA microspheres within the alveolar macrophages decreased gradually with time with a 90% rate of disappearance of about 36 d. There was a marked neutrophilic response in lung lavage and a mild peribronchial neutrophil infiltration on the first day after tracheal instillation of PLGA which subsequently disappeared. We conclude that PLGA microspheres are a sensitive and specific marker for aspiration in hamsters. The usefulness of this test in diagnosing aspiration in humans should be further evaluated in clinical studies.
Insights
Polylactic glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres show promise as a diagnostic marker for aspiration in young children. These biodegradable markers were detectable in hamster lungs, aiding in aspiration diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Aspiration poses a significant risk for lung disease in infants and children.
- Delayed diagnosis of aspiration is common due to non-specific symptoms and unreliable diagnostic tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of polylactic glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres as a diagnostic marker for aspiration.
- To assess the detectability and clearance of PLGA microspheres in lung tissue.
Main Methods:
- Thirty hamsters received tracheal instillation of PLGA microspheres; control groups received saline or no instillation.
- Whole-lung lavage was performed on selected animals over 58 days to analyze microsphere presence.
- Light microscopy was used to identify PLGA microspheres within alveolar macrophages.
Main Results:
- PLGA microspheres were consistently identified in alveolar macrophages of treated hamsters throughout the study period.
- Microsphere presence and size decreased over time, with a 90% disappearance rate around 36 days.
- An initial neutrophilic response was observed but resolved, indicating microspheres were well-tolerated.
Conclusions:
- PLGA microspheres serve as a sensitive and specific marker for diagnosing aspiration in a hamster model.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to explore the utility of PLGA microspheres for diagnosing aspiration in humans.
