Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the efficiency of Cyclosporin A (CsA)-delivery contact lens (CL) using supercritical fluid (SCF) penetration technique in experimental dry eye (EDE) model
Methods :
CsA-delivery CL was prepared by the SCF technique. The release amount of CsA was investigated in vitro by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The CsA concentrations in the cornea, conjunctiva, and crystalline lens of rabbits were investigated by HPLC. Dry eye was induced using benzalkonium chloride and further subdivided into the untreated, EDE, balanced salt solution (BSS), 0.05% CsA, soft CL, or CsA-delivery CL groups. Tear volume, tear film break-up time (BUT), and corneal fluorescein staining scores were measured 3, 6, 9, and 12 days after treatment. Periodic acid-Schiff staining for evaluating goblet cell density was performed. In addition, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ concentrations in the conjunctiva were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for rabbits.
Results :
In vitro, the release of CsA was observed until 6 hours. In vivo, the concentrations of CsA in the cornea, conjunctiva, and crystalline lens were detected during 48 hours after application of CsA-delivery CL. After the application, the CsA-delivery CL group showed significantly higher in tear volume and BUT, and lower in corneal staining scores compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Conjunctival goblet cell density was significantly higher in the CsA-delivery CL group compared to the other groups. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were lower in the 0.05% CsA and CsA-delivery CL groups than in the EDE and BSS groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusions :
The new designed CsA-delivery CLs released the drug continuously, and showed penetration in the eye. In addition, the use of CsA-delivery CL improved the tear parameters, keratoepitheliopathy and conjunctival goblet cell density, and decreased inflammatory cytokines. Thus, CsA-delivery CLs might be a therapeutic option for inflammatory dry eye.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.