No abstract available.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Dermatitis, Contact*

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of Gelrite (Gelrite gellan gum), a natural gelling agent, on the viability and proliferation of human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in tissue culture. METHODS: We studied the effect of two common preservatives, Gelrite and pure benzalkonium chloride (BAK) on the proliferation of primarily cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. After treatment of Gelrite and BAK with various serial dilutions, proliferation was assessed by MTT assay and the morphologic changes were evaluated with by inverted phase contrast microscopic examination after 24 hours and 1 week respectively. RESULTS: Gelrite did not affect the proliferation of fibroblasts and revealed no apparent morphologic change or viability of the fibroblasts in tissue culture. Also BAK did not affect the proliferation but inhibited the proliferation of the fibroblasts with toxic effects on cell morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Gelrite showed no apparent effect on the proliferation and morphology of the primarily cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts.
Benzalkonium Compounds ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans* ; Tenon Capsule*

The prior long-term use of topical anti-glaucoma medications has been suggested as an adverse factor for the outcome of trabeculectomy. The mechanism of action is still unclear. This study investigates the effect of Trusopt and Xalatan on the proliferation and viability of human Tenon`s capsule fibroblasts in tissue culture. We examined the effect of two commercial drugs, Trusopt and Xalatan, and pure benzalkonium chloride, at various dilution, on the proliferation as assessed by MTT assay and assessed micro-scopically the viability of human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in tissue culture. None of the tested compounds stimulated proliferation of fibroblasts in tissue culture and inhibited proliferation. All had toxic effects on cell morphology. These results show an antiproliferative and toxic effect of Trusopt and Xalatan on the fibroblasts in tissue culture and no direct stimulation of fibroblast proliferation.
Benzalkonium Compounds ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Tenon Capsule ; Trabeculectomy

To evaluate the corneal epithelial barrier after exposure to Benzalkonium chloride(BAC) or commonly used eyedrops, we measured corneal uptake of 5, 6-carboxyfluorescein(CF) applied to the corneal epithelium of the albino rabbits(70 eyes). Four BAC solutions (0.001 %, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1 %), ofloxacin solutions (Tarivid(R), Octacin(R), Ofloxacin(R)), fluorometholone solutions(Fumelon(R), Fluorometholone(R)), artificial tear solutions (Tears Naturale(R), Tears Naturale II(R), Tears naturale Free(R)) were evaluated. Balanced salt solution was used in control group. As the concentration of BAC increased, corneal epithelial permeability increased. In Octacin(R) group, corneal epithelial permeability increased about 5 times more than in Tarivid(R) and Ofloxacin(R) groups (p<0.01). Fluorometholone(R) group showed less increased permeability than in Fumelon group, but there was no statistical difference between them(p>0.05). Tears Naturale(R) showed the highest permeability among artificial tear solutions and there were no statistical differences between Tears Naturale II(R), Tears Naturale Free(R) and control group(p>0.1). This study showed that the higher concentration of BAC, the more damages to the barrier function of the corneal epithelium, and that clincally used eyedrops containing BAC made destructive influences on the corneal epithelial integrity.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Fluorometholone ; Ofloxacin ; Ophthalmic Solutions* ; Permeability ; Tears

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), mitomycin C (MMC) and dexamethasone (DEX) on cellular stress in cultured human trabecular meshwork cell (HTMC) monolayers. METHODS: HTMCs were cultured in the inner Transwell chamber until confluence and then were exposed to BAC, MMC or DEX for 6 hours. The carboxyfluorescein permeability through the HTMC monolayer was measured using a spectrofluorometer at 532 nm after 2 hours in the outer chamber. The 3-[4, 5 -dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate cellular viabilities. RESULTS: The carboxyfluorescein permeability through the HTMC monolayer increased and cell survival decreased with 0.002% BAC (p < 0.05). Increased permeability without decreasing cell survival occurred with 0.05 microg/mL MMC. No effect on the permeability or cell survival was observed at 0.1 or 1.0 microm DEX (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BAC and MMC induced cellular toxicity and stress at lower concentrations but did not affect survival of cultured HTMCs.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Cell Survival ; Dexamethasone* ; Humans ; Mitomycin* ; Permeability ; Trabecular Meshwork*

Infection by organisms in the anesthetic apparatus and in the operating theater is one of the important problems. Authors have studied the distribution of organisms that have been isolated from the anesthetic apparatuses and the operating theaters of some hospitals in Chung-Nam province. We have tested antibacterial activity and sensitivity by disinfectants and antibiotics. The results are follows: 1. Eleven strains of organisms were isolated from the anesthetic apparatus and the operating theatres: fstaphylococcus, B. subtilis, pseudomonas, E. coli, yeast-forms, both Gram positive or negative cocci and bacilli and fungi. 2. Antibacterial activity was stronger at a higher temperature (50degrees C) than at a lower temperature (20degrees C) and in comparison of effects between difference concentrations, there was not any noted difference in the phenol group and benzalkonium group but in the Hygien group, antibacterial activity was increased by increasing the concentratoin. 3. Staphylococci, Gram negative bacilli, Gram negative cocci, and Gram positive yeast-forms were sensitive to the majority of antibiotics but other organisms were resistantall to almost all antibiotics.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Benzalkonium Compounds ; Disinfectants ; Fungi ; Phenol ; Pseudomonas

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of bimatoprost on the permeability of cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMC) monolayer. METHODS: HTMCs were cultured until confluency in the inner Transwell chamber and then exposed to benzalkonium chloride, brimonidine, latanoprost or bimatoprost for 1 week. Carboxyfluorescein permeability through the HTMC monolayer was measured using a spectrofluorometer after 2 hours in the outer chamber. Cellular viability was assessed using the MTT assay. RESULTS: Each drug diluted at 1/1000X did not affect the cellular survival (p > 0.05). Brimonidine, latanoprost and bimatoprost did not affect the carboxyfluorescein permeability through the HTMC monolayer (p > 0.05). The carboxyfluorescein permeability was not different between latanoptost and bimatoprost after 1 week of exposure (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bimatoprost, a drug known to increase trabecular outflow, does not affect the carboxyfluorescein permeability through the HTMC monolayer. Thus, the effect on the trabecular outflow of bimatoprost may not be significant.
Benzalkonium Compounds ; Humans ; Permeability* ; Trabecular Meshwork* ; Bimatoprost ; Brimonidine Tartrate

PURPOSE: To investigate the concentration of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) in aqueous humor and the cytotoxicity of corneal endothelium according to BAC concentrations of instillation and sizes of deepithelized area. METHODS: Three experiments were performed: (I) After instillation of 0.02%, 0.05% and 0.1% of BAC (1cc, 15 drops during 30 minutes, 1 drop per 2 minutes) on normal cornea (24 eyes each), concentrations of BAC in aqueous humor were measured in 10, 30, 60, 120 minutes by HPLC; (II) After instillation of 0.02% and 0.1% of BAC on deepithelized cornea (2 and 5 mm in diameter), the same measurement was done in 60 minutes (6 replicates); (III) Corneas from both I and II were examined under transmission electron microscope (TEM) at 60 minutes following instillation. RESULTS: The concentrations of BAC in aqueous humor were increased with time until 60 minutes (approximately 1/1000 of instilled concentration) and then decreased. The higher the concentration of BAC instillated and the larger the deepithelized area are, the higher the concentration of BAC in aqueous humor were measured (P<0.05, Wilcoxon rank sum test). According to the TEM, endothelial cellular damage was detected on both normal and deepithelized cornea and BAC concentration in aqueous humor was 0.52+/-0.13microgram/ml in the case of 0.05% BAC. In the case of 0.1% BAC, irreverisible endothelial cellular necrosis was visible on both normal and deepithelized cornea, and BAC concentrations in aqueous humor were 1.06+/-0.61microgram/ml (normal cornea), 1.37+/-0.85microgram/ml (2 mm deepithelized cornea), and 3.49+/-1.39microgram/ml (5 mm deepithelized cornea). CONCLUSIONS: Even the clinically used low concentration of BAC may cause endothelial damages, especially in the absence of epithelial barrier. Therefore great care is warranted when the topicals containing BAC are applied to the largely erosive cornea.
Aqueous Humor* ; Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cornea* ; Endothelium ; Endothelium, Corneal ; Necrosis

Recently, some cases of paradoxical bronchoconsthction with the use of nebulized antiasthmatic respirator solutions have been reported. This study was performed to determine whether benzalkonium chloride, contained in several antiasthmatic respirator solutions as a preservative, may cause paradoxical bronchoconstriction. This was accomplished by comparing the FEV(1) change after Ventolin (benzalkonium containing salbutamol) nebulization with the FEV(1) change after Respolin autohaler (benzalkonium free sa1butamol) inhalation within the same patient. This study consisted thirty patients with stable asthma who regularly attend the allergy clinic at Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital. Patients were excluded from the study if they had respiratory disease or were taking any other medications. The results are as knows: 1) The baseline FEV(1) in the Ventolin group was 73+/-1O(% predicted) and 74+/-10(% predicted) in the Respolin autohaler group, showing no statistical difference in baseline FEV(1) between the two groups. 2) FEV(1) was decreased in 9 subjects(3096) after Ventolin nebu1ization and in 1 subject(3396) after Respolin autohaler inhalation, showing that the incidence of FEV(1) fall was higher in the Vento1in group than in the Respo1in autohaler group(p<0.OO5, one-tailed t-test). 3) Considering the cases with increased FEV(1) after inhalation, FEVl was increased by 9+/-7 (% predicted) in the Vento1in group and 7+/-5(% predicted) in the Respolin autohaIer group, suggesting that bronchodi1ator effects of both medications are similar. 4) Mild coughing occurred in 4 subjects(13396), and mild chest tightness in 1 subject(33%) in the Ventolin group. These symptoms resolved without any treatment. No side effects were reported by subjects in the Respolin autohaler group. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest that the paradoxical bron-choconstriction occurring with nebulized antiasthmatic respirator solutions is due to the ingredient benzalkonium chloride. Therefore we recommend that a benzalkoniulm free salbutamol product should be used for asthmatic patients, or if a product such as Ventolin which contains benza1konium chloride must be used, we recommend that it should be administered cautiously.
Albuterol ; Asthma ; Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Bronchoconstriction* ; Cough ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Incidence ; Inhalation ; Protestantism ; Thorax ; Ventilators, Mechanical*

BACKGROUND: Topical irritants disrupt the cutaneous permeability barrier through the removal of stratum comeum lipids. This perturbation of barrier integrity stimulates a variety of homeostatic repair responses that ultimately result in the normalization of bamer function. Object To measure the effect of desoxymethasone ointment, vaseline and hydrobase on the barrier recovery of benzalkonium chloride (BKC) imtated skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The left flank skin of 2-3 monthold hairless mice was treated with BKC and then desoxymethasone ointment, vaseline and hydrobase were applied. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was checked after 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 hours. Electron microscopic examination was performed after 3 and 24 hours after desoxymethasone, vaseline and hydrobase had been applied. RESULTS: The recovery of TEWL was most prominantly observed in the desoxymethasone ointment treated group followed by vaseline and hydrobase. Electron microscopic examination using ruthenium tetroxide fixation revealed that secretion and numbers of lamellar bodies and complete formatice of lipid bilayers were most prominent at desoxymethasone ointment and vaseline treated group. CONCLUSION: Desoxymethasone ointment, vaseline and hydrobase can be good agents in improving bamer recovery after exposure to irritant material.
Animals ; Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Desoximetasone* ; Irritants ; Lipid Bilayers ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Permeability ; Petrolatum* ; Ruthenium ; Skin*