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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System
Published on: April 6, 2017
Inhaled aerosol particle dosimetry in mice: a review
Loyda B Méndez1, Glenn Gookin, Robert F Phalen
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4028, USA. mendezl@uci.edu
Abstract:
The availability of molecular and genetic tools has made the mouse the most common animal model for a variety of human diseases in toxicology studies. However, little is known about the factors that will influence the dose delivery to murine lungs during an inhalation study. Among these factors are the respiratory tract anatomy, lung physiology, and clearance characteristics. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to briefly review the current knowledge on the aforementioned factors in mice and their implications to the dose delivered to mouse models during inhalation studies. Representative scientific publications were chosen from searches using the NCBI PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. Relevant respiratory physiological differences have been widely reported for different mouse strains and sexes. The limited data on anatomical morphometry that is available for the murine respiratory tract indicates significant differences between mouse strains. These differences have implications to the dose delivered and the biological outcomes of inhalation studies.
Insights
Mouse models are crucial for toxicology, but inhalation dose delivery is poorly understood. Factors like respiratory anatomy and lung physiology vary significantly between mouse strains, impacting study outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology and Pharmacology
- Animal Models in Research
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Mice are widely used animal models in toxicology due to genetic and molecular tools.
- Inhalation studies are vital for modeling human diseases, but factors influencing dose delivery to mouse lungs are not well understood.
- Understanding these factors is critical for accurate interpretation of toxicology study results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on factors affecting dose delivery to mouse lungs during inhalation studies.
- To highlight the implications of respiratory tract anatomy, lung physiology, and clearance characteristics on inhalation toxicology.
- To underscore the importance of mouse strain and sex differences in respiratory parameters.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications.
- Searches conducted using NCBI PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases.
- Focus on factors influencing dose delivery in murine inhalation studies.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in respiratory physiology exist across different mouse strains and sexes.
- Limited available data on murine respiratory tract anatomy reveals substantial differences between mouse strains.
- These anatomical and physiological differences directly impact dose delivery and subsequent biological outcomes in inhalation studies.
Conclusions:
- Variability in mouse respiratory anatomy and physiology influences dose delivery in inhalation studies.
- Differences between mouse strains and sexes must be considered for accurate toxicology research.
- Further research into murine respiratory parameters is needed to refine inhalation study designs and interpretations.
