Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the effects of five contact lens multipurpose solutions (MPS) on inflammatory cytokine production in human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC).
Methods: :
Primary cultured or SV40-transformed HCEC were exposed to five solutions, Complete MPS Easy Rub formula (AMO), Optifree Express (Alcon), Optifree RepleniSH (Alcon), Aquify (Ciba Vision) and Renu Multiplus (Bausch&Lomb) MPS for 15-60 minutes. Media, phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and benzalkonium chloride (BAC) served as controls. MTT and MTS assays were performed to evaluate solution cytotoxicity and cell viability. In primary culture experiments, cells were treated with culture-media diluted MPS (25-50%, v/v) for 6 and 24 hours. Cell culture supernatants were collected at the end of the incubations. ELISAs and cytometric bead-based assays were performed to assess the propensity of the various MPS to stimulate secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by HCEC.
Results: :
Optifree Express and Optifree RepleniSH MPS were associated with significant cellular cytotoxicity (P<0.01 and <0.05, respectively) whereas Complete MPS Easy Rub formula, Aquify and Renu Multiplus MPS showed no statistical difference compared to the media- or PBS-treated controls (n=5). All of the five contact lens MPS induced IL-1alpha (2-10 fold), IL-1beta (2-20 fold), and TNF-alpha (2-7 fold) secretion, but did not stimulate IL-6 or IL-8 production in HCEC (n=3-5). Complete MPS Easy Rub formula was the least cytotoxic (followed by AQuify, ReNu MultiPlus, Optifree RepleniSH, and Optifree Express MPS) and exerted the least stimulatory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1alpha, -beta, TNF-alpha) production in HCEC when compared to the other four solutions.
Keywords: contact lens • cornea: basic science • cornea: epithelium