title: Cytotoxic effects of benzalkonium chloride and chlorobutanol on human corneal epithelial cells in vitro.
abstract: By exposing primary cultures of human corneal epithelial cells to a single dose of either benzalkonium chloride or chlorobutanol, evaluated the cytotoxicity of these two preservatives which are commonly used in artificial tear solutions and other topical ophthalmic medications. Control and experimental cultures were analyzed by continuous time-lapse videomicrographic recordings as well as by sequential phase-contrast microscopy. Both benzalkonium chloride at a concentration of 0.01% and chlorobutanol at 0.5% caused immediate cessation of normal cytokinesis and mitotic activity, and epithelial cells degenerated within two hours and eight hours, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Eye Research Laboratories, University of Chicago, IL 60637.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tripathi
mesh_terms: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002724:Chlorobutanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000633:toxicity; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000633:toxicity; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000633:toxicity*; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D002724:Chlorobutanol