Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the effects of four contact lens multipurpose solutions (MPS) on human corneal epithelial survival and barrier function.
Methods: :
The human corneal epithelial cells (T-HCEC) were exposed to four solutions, Complete MPS Easy Rub (AMO), Optifree Express (Alcon), Optifree RepleniSH (Alcon) and Renu Multiplus (Bausch&Lomb), diluted 50% with culture medium (DMEM/F12 containing 10%FBS) for different time periods. The culture medium and Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) served as controls. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cell viability after exposure to the MPS solutions for 0.5-24 hrs. ApopTag® Fluorescein Apoptosis assay was used to detect the cell death in situ. Corneal epithelial barrier function was evaluated by a fluorescein permeability assay and immunofluorescent staining for the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin.
Results: :
Corneal epithelial survival rates, evaluated by MTT absorbance at 570nm, showed no statistical difference from culture medium or HBSS controls for the Complete MPS Easy Rub. Optifree Express, Optifree RepleniSH and Renu MultiPlus were associated with significantly less cell survival than MPS Easy Rub after exposure for 6 hours (P<.01, <.05 and <.01, respectively). Compared with the controls, the Complete MPS Easy Rub did not increase cell apoptosis, while the other three caused higher apoptotic rates. The epithelial permeability after exposed to Complete MPS Easy Rub was similar to controls and significantly lower than Optifree Express and Renu Multiplus (P<.01). The immunostaining further showed that the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were well maintained after exposed to Complete MPS Easy Rub. In contrast, the expression of ZO-1 and occludin were largely disturbed by the other three solutions.
Conclusions: :
Complete MPS Easy Rub is a new contact lens MPS that maintains the cell viability and barrier function of human corneal epithelial cells significantly better than other commercial MPS studied.
Keywords: contact lens • cornea: epithelium • immunohistochemistry