Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the effect of intracamerally injected voriconazole on corneal endothelial cells (CECs) in rabbit eyes
Methods: :
Various concentrations of voriconazole (0%, 0.03%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1%) were injected intracamerally into 36 eyes of 18 rabbits (6 eyes for each concentration). For evaluation of corneal endothelial cell toxicity, measurements of endothelial cell counts (ECC) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were performed at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the intracameral injection. At 2 hour after the injection, the rabbits were sacrificed and the corneal button was excised from the 36 eyes. In each group, 5 of a total of 6 corneas were used for the evaluation endothelial viability; staining with alizarin red and trypan blue for the live/dead cell assay was done. In one cornea from each group, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed.
Results: :
There was no significant difference in ECC and CCT following intracameral injection of voriconazole among the 6 groups at any time points. The live/dead cell assay demonstrated that no difference in the mean percentage of dead endothelial cells was found among the 6 groups. (1.48 ± 0.31 %; 1.46 ± 0.26 %; 1.68 ± 0.46 %; 1.28 ± 0.15 %; 1.48 ± 0.22 %; 1.56 ± 0.38 %, for concentrations of voriconazole of 0%; 0.03%; 0.1%; 0.25%; 0.5%; 1%, respectively, F = 0.889, P = 0.504). However, SEM revealed blurring of cell border at the voriconazole concentrations ≥ 0.25%, indicating cell wall damage.
Conclusions: :
The intracameral injection of voriconazole did not induce a significant gross change of endothelium in rabbit eyes up to a concentration of 1%. However, intracameral voriconazole injection of a concentration of 0.25% or higher may have a risk of microstructural damages in CECs.
Keywords: cornea: endothelium • cornea: basic science • keratitis