Permeability of human amniotic membrane to ofloxacin in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop a model to investigate the permeability of the amniotic membrane (AM) to ofloxacin eye drops, a widely used topical antibiotic in ocular surface disease after AM transplantation.


METHODS
AM pieces on cellulose acetate filter membranes were mounted in a vertical Franz-diffusion cell system equipped with an autosampler. In vitro release of 300 mg of 3% commercially available ofloxacin ophthalmic solution was determined by quantitative absorbance measurement carried out with a UV spectrophotometer (wavelength, 287 nm). Freshly prepared and cryopreserved AMs were compared. Filter membranes without AM served as positive controls.


RESULTS
Ofloxacin was detectable in the acceptor phase 1 minute after instillation, and a gradual increase of concentration could be detected in a period of 90 minutes in all groups. At 30 minutes 3.35% +/- 2.23% of ofloxacin penetrated the freshly prepared AM, 4.35% +/- 1.8% through cryopreserved AM compared with 17.52% +/- 3.91% filter membrane alone. At 90 minutes, penetration rates of ofloxacin were 5.04% +/- 1.11%, 5.26% +/- 3.21%, and 27.91% +/- 3.05%, respectively. Difference (P > 0.05; t-test) was not significant between freshly prepared and cryopreserved AMs. Compared with control, both membranes showed significant differences (P < 0.05; t-test) at all time points.


CONCLUSIONS
The in vitro model of the Franz-diffusion cell system was found to be applicable for drug permeability studies of human amniotic membranes to water-based solutions. The filter membrane and AM were permeable to a water-based solution of ofloxacin. Significant barrier function of the AM could be measured in ofloxacin permeability. Cryopreservation did not influence the permeability of the AM.
Resch
Miklós D
MD
Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. remi@szem1.sote.hu
Resch
Béla E
BE
Csizmazia
Eszter
E
Imre
László
L
Németh
János
J
Révész
Piroska
P
Csányi
Erzsébet
E
D000650:Amnion / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000637:transplantation; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D006801:Humans; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010539:Permeability; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D015242:Ofloxacin