Table III.
Valley diameter, valley area and valley ratio of each capsule type determined by atomic force microscopy images analysis.
| Valley diameter, µm | Valley area, µm2 | Valley ratio, % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before | After | Before | After | Before | After | |
| G-Cap | 0.59±0.26 | 0.54±0.28 | 0.28±0.22 | 0.24±0.16 | 4.60±0.75 | 3.68±0.09 |
| PEG/G-Cap | 0.68±0.39 | 0.64±0.36 | 0.64±0.58 | 0.46±0.32 | 5.24±3.65 | 4.51±0.54 |
| HPMC-Cap | 1.97±0.98 | 1.06±0.40a | 2.05±1.89 | 1.02±0.67a | 10.6±6.24 | 6.39±0.16a |
Each value represents the mean ± standard error of measurements. n=120.
aP<0.05 vs. before TIO-loading. Before, before TIO-loading; After, after the suction TIO-loading capsule; G-Cap, gelatin capsule; PEG/G-Cap, gelatin capsule containing 5% PEG4000 as plasticizer; HPMC-Cap, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsule; TIO, tiotropium bromide.