title: Is wetter better? An evaluation of over-the-counter personal lubricants for safety and anti-HIV-1 activity.
abstract: Because lubricants may decrease trauma during coitus, it is hypothesized that they could aid in the prevention of HIV acquisition. Therefore, safety and anti-HIV-1 activity of over-the-counter (OTC) aqueous- (n = 10), lipid- (n = 2), and silicone-based (n = 2) products were tested. The rheological properties of the lipid-based lubricants precluded testing with the exception of explant safety testing. Six aqueous-based gels were hyperosmolar, two were nearly iso-osmolar, and two were hypo-osmolar. Evaluation of the panel of products showed Gynol II (a spermicidal gel containing 2% nonoxynol-9), KY Jelly, and Replens were toxic to Lactobacillus. Two nearly iso-osmolar aqueous- and both silicone-based gels were not toxic toward epithelial cell lines or ectocervical or colorectal explant tissues. Hyperosmolar lubricants demonstrated reduction of tissue viability and epithelial fracture/sloughing while the nearly iso-osmolar and silicon-based lubricants showed no significant changes in tissue viability or epithelial modifications. While most of the lubricants had no measurable anti-HIV-1 activity, three lubricants which retained cell viability did demonstrate modest anti-HIV-1 activity in vitro. To determine if this would result in protection of mucosal tissue or conversely determine if the epithelial damage associated with the hyperosmolar lubricants increased HIV-1 infection ex vivo, ectocervical tissue was exposed to selected lubricants and then challenged with HIV-1. None of the lubricants that had a moderate to high therapeutic index protected the mucosal tissue. These results show hyperosmolar lubricant gels were associated with cellular toxicity and epithelial damage while showing no anti-viral activity. The two iso-osmolar lubricants, Good Clean Love and PRÉ, and both silicone-based lubricants, Female Condom 2 lubricant and Wet Platinum, were the safest in our testing algorithm.
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America. cdezzutti@mwri.magee.edu
authors.forename: Charlene S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Dezzutti
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moncla
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cost
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uranker
authors.forename: Ratiya P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kunjara Na Ayudhya
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pryke
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pickett
authors.forename: Marc-André
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Leblanc
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rohan
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects; D054327:Lubricants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010710:Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D020034:Silicone Gels; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; C042973:K-Y jelly; D054327:Lubricants; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010710:Phosphates; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D020034:Silicone Gels; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D002482:Cellulose; D005990:Glycerol