Safety of medium-chain triglycerides used as an intraocular tamponading agent in an experimental vitrectomy model rabbit.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate safety of medium-chain triglycerides used as a possible intraocular tamponading agent.


METHODS
A 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy was performed in the right eye of 28 rabbits. An ophthalmologic examination was performed every week until rabbits were killed. At days 7, 30, 60, and 90, rabbits were killed and the treated eyes were examined macroscopically and prepared for histologic examination. Principal outcome was retinal toxicity evaluated by light and electron microscopy, and secondary outcomes were the presence of medium-chain triglyceride emulsification, inflammatory reactions, and the development of cataract.


RESULTS
Histologic examination did not reveal any retinal toxicity. Two cases of moderate emulsification were observed, but in these cases, emulsification was caused by the perioperative injection of the agent and did not increase during the postoperative period. We noted 13 cases of inflammatory reaction in vitreous cavity and no case of inflammatory reaction in anterior chamber. Two eyes developed cataract as a result of perioperative trauma to the lens with the vitreous cutter and not secondary to the presence of medium-chain triglycerides in the vitreous cavity.


CONCLUSIONS
Medium-chain triglycerides did not induce morphologic evidence of retinal toxicity. The results suggest that medium-chain triglycerides could be a promising alternative intraocular tamponading agent for the treatment of retinal detachments.
Department of Ophthalmology, Retinal Center, Paule de Viguier Hospital, Toulouse, France. s.auriol@yahoo.fr
Sylvain
S
Auriol
Laurence
L
Mahieu
Pierre
P
Brousset
François
F
Malecaze
Véronique
V
Mathis
D000818:Animals; D002208:Caproates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D002210:Caprylates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced; D003652:Decanoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004655:Emulsions; D058450:Endotamponade; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D007850:Lauric Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D023421:Models, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D014821:Vitrectomy
D002208:Caproates; D002210:Caprylates; D003652:Decanoic Acids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004655:Emulsions; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007850:Lauric Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; C030358:lauric acid; C031071:decanoic acid; C031492:octanoic acid