In vivo corneal epithelial permeability following treatment with prostaglandin analogs [correction of analoges] with or without benzalkonium chloride.
The effects of two intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering agents, latanoprost with 0.02% benzylalkonium chloride (BAK) and travoprost Z without BAK, on corneal epithelial permeability, assessed by carboxyfluorescein uptake, were compared in a rabbit cornea model (n = 12). Loss of epithelial tight junctions was measured by ruthenium red uptake with transmission electron microscopy. There was a significant difference between corneal epithelium permeability of rabbits exposed to either travoprost Z or latanoprost preserved with 0.02% BAK (P < 0.0001). There was no difference between untreated controls and those receiving travoprost Z (P = 0.224). Epithelial permeability was significantly increased in the corneas of rabbits exposed to latanoprost in the 3-min drop test (2.16 +/- 1.094 nm/sec) and the 3-min exposure (16.69 +/- 3.15 nm/sec), compared with control or travoprost (P = 0.002), likely due to the presence of a 0.02% concentration of BAK in the latanoprost solutions. There was no detectable loss of epithelial tight junctions in corneas from the control or travoprost Z groups, compared with significant loss in the latanoprost group. Agents such as travoprost Z with an alternative preservative decreased the epithelial toxicity associated with the long-term use of IOP-lowering agents preserved with BAK.
McCarey
Bernard
B
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University Eye Center, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. ophtbmc@emory.edu
Edelhauser
Henry
H
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003008:Cloprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D000077338:Latanoprost; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010539:Permeability; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000069557:Travoprost
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; C024098:6-carboxyfluorescein; D003008:Cloprostenol; D000077338:Latanoprost; D000069557:Travoprost