title: Iontophoretic delivery of riboflavin into the rabbit cornea: a primary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the penetrability of riboflavin into the corneal stroma by iontophoresis and to compare the permeability effects of different solvents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: a group that received 0.1% riboflavin-balanced salt solution (BSS) by iontophoresis, a group that received 0.1% riboflavin-saline solution by iontophoresis, a group that received 0.1% riboflavin-distilled water solution by iontophoresis, and a control group that received classical riboflavin instillation after corneal de-epithelialization. The degree of yellowing of the de-epithelialized corneal stromal button from each rabbit was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The yellow color scores for the corneal stromal buttons in the three iontophoresis groups were compared with those of control group. Iontophoretic delivery of a 0.1% riboflavin-distilled water solution yielded similar yellow changes in the corneal stromal button when compared with classical riboflavin instillation after de-epithelialization. However, the other two solvents did not sufficiently enhance the permeability of riboflavin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Riboflavin can effectively penetrate into the corneal stroma to saturation levels by iontophoresis. Using distilled water as the solvent can promote penetrability.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiujun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Zhengjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D003319:Corneal Stroma; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012256:Riboflavin