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

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

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*

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

Mycon-soft lenses (made by Tokyo contact lens Co., Japan) were contaminated experimentally with coagulase positive staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa and sterilizing effects of some disinfectants (3% H2O2, 6% H2O2, 0.1% Benzalkonium and 1:1000 Merthiolate solutions) on those contaminated lenses were studied. The following results were obtained: 1. SCL contaminated with staphylcoccus were sterilized by soaking in 3% H2O2, 6% H2O2, or 1:1000 Merthiolate solution over 15 minutes, and in 0.1 Benzalkonium over 60 minutes. 2. SCL contaminated with pseudomonas aeruginosa were sterilizd by soaking in 6% H2O2 over 15 minutes, in 1:1000 MerthioJate solution over 60 minutes, in 3% H2O2 over 60 minutes, but no sterilization was obtained by soaking in 0.1 % Benzalkonium solution for less than 180 minutes. 3. No signs of irritation were noted on rabbit corneas fitted with SCL after soaking in 3% H2O2 or 6% H2O2 for 15 minutes followed by soaking in 20cc of normal saline for 15 minutes.
Benzalkonium Compounds ; Coagulase ; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic* ; Cornea ; Disinfectants ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Sterilization* ; Thimerosal

An experimental study was performed on 16 rabbits to evaluate the toxicity of benzalkonium chloride(BAK) on the corneal endothelium. Each rabbit received two drops of 0.01% BAK in the right eye and BSS in the left eye as control. The rabbits were divided into 4 groups: instillation of BAK 20 times at 6-minute intervals in normal cornea(group 1), instillation of BAK 40 times at 3-minute intervals in normal cornea (group 2), instillation of BAK 20 times at 6-minute intervals in de-epithelized condition with the size of 6mm diameter(group 3) and instillation of BAK 40 times at 3-minute intervals in deepithelized cornea(group 4). After the last instillation of BAK, histopathologic examination was performed with electron microscope. Group 1 showed nearly normal corneal endothelial findings, but group 2, 3 and 4 showed enlarged rough endoplasmic reticulum, partially distrupted Goigi apparatus and mitochodria, the presence of vacuoles and phagosomes. Group 4 showed severe destruction of subcellular structures. The results of this study indicate that an exaggerated use of topical drug containing 0.01% BAK may induce corneal endothelial damage, especially when the epithelium was already damaged.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Cornea ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Endothelium, Corneal* ; Epithelium ; Phagosomes ; Rabbits* ; Vacuoles

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*