J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2006 Aug;47(8):1340-1348.

The Effects of Anti-allergic Ophthalmic Agents on the Cultured Rabbit Conjunctival Cells

• Byon IS
• Park JS
• Lee JE
• Lee JS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the biological effects and cytotoxicity of anti-allergic ophthalmic agents on the cultured conjunctival cells of rabbit in vitro.
METHODS
Conjunctival cells of rabbit were exposed to anti-allergic ophthalmic agents. Azelan(R) (Taejoon, Korea), Zaditen(R) (Novartis, USA), Patanol(R) (Alcon, USA) at a concentration 10, 20 and 30% for a period of 30 minutes, 4, 12, and 24 hours respectively. Cell injury assay was performed using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay. We checked the composition, pH, osmolarity of three anti-allergic agents. Light and transmission electron microscopy were performed to compare the cellular damage of rabbit conjunctival cells under various culture treatments.
RESULTS
In cultured conjunctival cells of rabbit, the LDH titers increased up to 4 hours after exposure, maintained until 12 hours and then decreased 12 hours after exposed. Azelan(R) and Zaditen(R) showed a higher LDH titer and severe cellular damage of the conjunctival cells, compared with Patanol(R). Of anti-allergic solutions, Azelan(R) and Zaditen(R) revealed markedly lower Na+, Cl- and pH levels than Patanol(R). However, there was no difference in the concentration of preservative or osmolarity of the eye solution among the three anti-allergic agents.
CONCLUSIONS
Patanol(R) caused markedly more damage to cultured rabbit conjunctival cells than Azelan(R) and Zaditen(R). If these anti-allergic these agents are clinically used for long periods of time, they may induce the cellular damage of conjunctival cells depending on the composition and pH of anti-allergic drugs.

Keyword

Anti-allergic agents; Azelan(R); Conjunctival cells of rabbit; LDH; Patanol(R); Zaditen(R)

MeSH Terms

Anti-Allergic Agents
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Osmolar Concentration
Anti-Allergic Agents
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase