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

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

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*

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

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 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

The purpose of this study was to evaluate alterations in corneal endothelial cell function and ultrastructure caused by benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Sixteen albino rabbits (32 eyes)were used for this study. One cornea of each matched pair was assigned to experimental group and the other cornea to control group. The experimental groups were divided into 4 groups, of which corneal endothelium were perfused with 0.01%, 0.001%, 0.0002%, and 0.0001% BAC. After paired rabbit corneas were isolated and mounted in the in vitro dual-chambered specular microscope, experimental corneas of each matched pair were perfused with different concentrations of BAC. Control corneas were perfused with glutathione-bicarbonate-Ringer solution(GBR). Corneal thickness was measured every 15 minutes throughout the perfusion period.Swelling rates were calculated by linear regression analysis, and compared to swelling rate of each paired mate perfused with GBR alone. At the end of perfusion,the corneas were fixed in 2.5%glutaraldehyde solution for transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Swelling rates of rabbit corneas perfused with BAC, 0.0001% did not differ significantly from control corneas (p>0.05). But, 0.0002%, 0.001%, and 0.01% BAC differed significantly from control corneas (p<0.05). BAC, 0.0001% showed normal corneal endothelial findings, but 0.0002% and 0.001% BAC showed reversible endothelial cellular injury. BAC, 0.01% showed irreversible endothelial cellular injury such as loss of nuclear membrane and disruption of cellular organelles. The results of this study indicate that long-term use of topical eye solutions containing BAC might induce corneal endothelial damage, especially in the absence of epithelial barrier such as corneal ulcer.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Cornea ; Corneal Ulcer ; Endothelial Cells* ; Endothelium, Corneal ; Linear Models ; Nuclear Envelope ; Organelles ; Perfusion ; Rabbits

Authors investigated the functional and morphological cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride(BAC) used clinically on the cultured corneal epithelial cell of rabbit in vitro. Corneal epithelial cells containing radioactive 51Cr were exposured for 5 minute, 10 minute, 30 minute and 60 minute to BAC 0.001%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and phosphated buffer solution(control). Cell injury assay was performed; % 51Cr released(cell lysis) and % cell detachment(cell dysfunction), and documentary photographs were taken with transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Epithelial cell lysis was severe at over BAC 0.05% after 5 minutes exposure, and cell dysfunction was severe at BAC 0.005% after 30 min exposure. The higher the concentration and the longer the duration of BAC exposure time, cell lysis and dysfunction of corneal epithelial cell were increased significantly(p<.05). In histological finding, the epithelial cell was injured with the disruption of plasma membrane, dialtated cistern form of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex at BAC 0.001% after 5 min exposure. The nuclear damage of epithelial cell appeared at BAC 0.01% after 30 minutes exposure or at BAC 0.1% after 10 minutes exposure. As results, the clinical dose of BAC, ranged from 0.004% to 0.002% should be induced a particulary toxic effect, we should be carefully use the BAC, especially when using frequently or using for long duration.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Cell Membrane ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Epithelial Cells* ; Golgi Apparatus