title: Toxicities and pharmacokinetics of subconjunctival injection of liposomal amphotericin B.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The toxicity of conventional formulations of amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB(DOC)) limits its clinical applications. To reduce the toxicity of AmB(DOC), lipid formulations of amphotericin B (AmB) have been developed and clinically applied. In the present study, we evaluated the ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of subconjunctival injection of liposomal AmB.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subconjunctival injection of either AmB(DOC) (containing 1.5 mg of AmB and 1.2 mg of deoxycholate), deoxycholate (1.2 mg), or liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) (containing 1.5 mg of AmB and lipids) was given to white New Zealand rabbits. After 24 hours, toxicities of the drugs were evaluated by slit lamp and histologically. To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of subconjunctival injection of L-AmB, the concentration of the drug in the cornea was evaluated at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours after subconjunctival injection of L-AmB, with or without corneal epithelial removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subconjunctival injection of AmB(DOC) or deoxycholate alone induced severe corneal and conjunctival edema, with necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells. In contrast, subconjunctival injection of L-AmB induced only mild inflammation near the injection site. The concentration of AmB injected in eyes with intact corneal epithelium was 4.93-2.49, 0.63-0.31, 0.15-0.07 microg/g at 4, 12, and 24 hours respectively after the injection of L-AmB. When injected in eyes after corneal epithelial removal, the concentration of AmB was 19.7-9.87, 2.49-1.25, and 1.25-0.63 microg/g at 4, 12, and 24 hours after injection respectively
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subconjunctival injection of L-AmB has reduced ocular toxicities and gives satisfactory concentrations in corneal stroma compared with conventional AmB(DOC). Subconjunctival injection of L-AmB will be a choice of treatment for mycotic keratitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tsukuba University Institute of Clinical Medicine, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan. kajiyuichi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaji
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hiraoka
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oshika
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*; D001682:Biological Availability; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; C068538:liposomal amphotericin B; D000666:Amphotericin B