Gentamicin may have an adverse effect on osteogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the toxic effect of gentamicin at the high concentrations that can be achieved by local administration in the management of bone infection.


METHODS
Randomized, prospective study in cultured cells, with drug exposure duration of 4 days.


METHODS
Cell culture in Dulbecco's modification of Eagle's minimal essential medium with supplements at 37 degrees C in air:CO2 (v:v, 95:5).


METHODS
Human osteoblastlike cells derived from cancellous bone collected from four adult patients without systemic disease during total hip replacement were cultured in antibiotic-free medium for 4 weeks.


METHODS
The cultured cells were exposed to media containing various concentrations of gentamicin (0-1000 microg/mL) for 4 days.


METHODS
Alkaline phosphatase activity, total DNA, and 3H-thymidine incorporation.


RESULTS
Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in all of the cultures at gentamicin concentrations of 100 microg/mL and above. 3H-thymidine incorporation was also decreased (p < 0.05) in three out of four cultures at 100 microg/mL and above. Total DNA was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at 700 microg/mL and above.


CONCLUSIONS
Gentamicin, at high concentrations, as achieved following topical application, inhibits cell proliferation in vitro and, therefore, may be detrimental to the repair process in vivo.
Isefuku
Shuji
S
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Oxford, Headington, England, United Kingdom.
Joyner
Clive J
CJ
Simpson
A Hamish R W
AH
D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013936:Thymidine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D005839:Gentamicins; D004247:DNA; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D013936:Thymidine