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Br J Ophthalmol 96:905-908 doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2011-301129
  • Laboratory science
  • Original article

Toxicity of voriconazole on corneal endothelial cells in an animal model

  1. Won Ryang Wee1,4
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  2. 2Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
  3. 3Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  4. 4Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Clinical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea
  1. Correspondence to Dr Joon Young Hyon, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 463-707, Korea; jyhyon{at}snu.ac.kr
  1. Contributors (1) Substantial contributions to conception and design (SBH, JYH, WRW), acquisition of data (SBH, HKY, JYH, YJS), or analysis and interpretation of data (SBH, HKY). (2) Drafting the article (SBH, HKY) or revising it critically (JYH, YJS, WRW) for important intellectual content. (3) Final approval of the version to be published (SBH, HKY, JYH, YJS, WRW).

  • Accepted 4 February 2012
  • Published Online First 3 March 2012

Abstract

Aims To determine the effect of intracamerally injected voriconazole on corneal endothelial cells in rabbit eyes.

Methods Various concentrations of voriconazole (0%, 0.03%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1%) were injected intracamerally in 36 eyes of 18 rabbits (six eyes for each concentration). Measurements of endothelial cell counts and central corneal thickness were performed at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the injection. In each group, five of six corneas were used for the live/dead cell assay; staining with alizarin red and trypan was done. In one cornea from each group, scanning electron microscopy was performed.

Results There was no significant difference in endothelial cell counts and central corneal thickness among the six groups at any time points. The live/dead cell assay revealed no difference in the mean percentage of dead endothelial cells among the six groups (p=0.504). However, scanning electron microscopy revealed blurring of cell border at voriconazole concentrations ≥0.25%, indicating cell wall damage.

Conclusion Intracameral injection of voriconazole did not induce a significant gross change in rabbit corneal endothelial cells up to a concentration of 1%. However, risk of microstructural damages might exist with a concentration of ≥0.25%.

Footnotes

  • Funding This study was supported by a grant from the Seoul National University, Bundang Hospital, Republic of Korea (02-2009-029).

  • Competing interests None.

  • Ethics approval Ethics approval was provided by institutional committee for animal studies at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The animal experiments were accomplished in accordance with the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Statement for Use of Animals in Ophthalmic Vision and Research.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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