Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: to evaluate the cytotoxicity of an aminoglycoside antibiotic, Netilmicin, using a corneal epithelial cells in vitro model. Methods: continuous corneal epithelial cell cultures (SIRC) were seeded at 2X104 cells/cm2 well. After 24 hours the test item was added at different concentrations: 1.5 mg/ml, 3 mg/ml and 6 mg/ml. Each concentration was mantained in the cell culture for 8, 24 and 48 hours. The effect of the test item was evaluated considering the % of viability of the cell culture in comparison with a control group treated with growth medium using the neutral red uptake method. Moreover, the cell morphology and the presence of intracytoplasmatic precipitates and vacuoles were evaluated for each drug exposure-time using a contrast phase microscope. Results: at the 8, 24 and 48 hours exposure-time, Netilmicin showed, with all concentrations tested, neither interference with cell viability nor morphological alterations or presence of intracellular granules. Conclusion: this in vitro study confirms and corroborates the clinical data available for the topical use of Netilmicin in the treatment of ocular infections. In fact these results underline the ocular safety profile of the antibiotic, thus making it a topical agent of choice in case a compromission of the ocular surface integrity occurs or when a fortified formulation is required.
Keywords: 372 cornea: epithelium • 390 drug toxicity/drug effects • 319 antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics