Abstract
Purpose::
The purpose of this study was to compare the relative toxicity of the NSAIDs nepafenac 0.1% (Nevanac), ketorolac 0.4% (AcularLS) and bromfenac 0.9% (Xibrom) on immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (HCE).
Methods::
Ninety-six well tissue culture plates containing HCE cells were divided into seven groups. Two groups served as negative controls (70% methanol and gentamicin). Another two groups, one in corneal epithelial culture media and the other in an artificial tear (Systane®) served as the live controls. The nepafenac, ketorolac and bromfenac groups were exposed to 100 µl of the undiluted solutions. The cells were incubated for 25 minutes at 37° C. A live/dead assay was used to measure the effects of NSAID formulations on HCE compared to cells in the negative and live controls. Following the assay incubation of 45 minutes, plates were read with a BIO-TEK FL600 Microplate Fluorescence Reader (excitation and emission wavelengths of the live dye were 485/530 nm and dead dye 530/645). Data are expressed as a % of live control fluorescence. Statistical analyses were performed using a one-way analysis of variance with Duncan multiple comparisons.
Results::
The order of toxicity for this human corneal epithelial cell assay was media (100%) =artificial tear (95.6%) [p≥ 0.05]< nepafenac (81.7%)<< ketorolac (30.9%) < bromfenac (25.2%)< gentamicin (10.1%)<methanol (3.5%) [p≤0.05].
Conclusions::
Nepafenac was the least toxic of the NSAIDS tested in our human corneal epithelial cells model assay. This may have ramifications in terms of patient comfort ocular surface health and the optimal progression of corneal wound healing following surgery.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • wound healing • drug toxicity/drug effects