Posters

A comparative study of cellular cytotoxicity on the corneal epithelial cells and allergic cytokines production on the conjunctival cells by the dual-action anti-allergic eye drops

Poster Details

First Author: J.Lee KOREA

Co Author(s): J. Lee   S. Kim                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate the cytotoxicity on human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and inhibition of cytokine production on human conjunctival cells (HCCCs) by the topical ocular dual-action anti-allergic agents such as alcaftadine 0.25%, bepotastine besilate 1.5%, and olopatadine HCL 0.1%.

Setting:

Pusan National University College of Medicine, Medical Research Institute of Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan, Republic of Korea.

Methods:

The methylthiazolyltetrazolium(MTT)-based calorimetric assay, inverted phase-contrast and electron microscopy, and wound scratch test were used to assess cytotoxicities using HCECs at concentrations of 10, 20 or 30% for exposure durations of 30 min, 1h, 2h, 12h or 24h. Real time PCR was used to quantify of cytokine production by anti-allergic effects on cultured human conjunctival cells, in which allergic reactions were induced by treating them with Aspergillus antigen.

Results:

The viabilities of HCECs decreased in time- and concentration-dependent manners by all anti-allergic agents. HCECs were detached from dishes and showed microvilli loss, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and nuclear condensation when exposed to anti-allergic agents; alcaftadine was found to be least cytotoxic. HCECs treated alcaftadine 0.25% exhibited the best wound healing followed by bepotastine 1.5% and olopatadine HCL 0.1% (p<0.001). All agents significantly reduced the gene expressions of allergic five cytokines such as IL-5, IL25, eotaxin, thymus activation-regulated chemokine, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin, but Alcaftadine agent had the greatest effect among anti-allergic drugs (p<0.001 in all cases).

Conclusions:

Alcaftadine 0.25% seems to have less side effects of cytotoxicity, and better inhibition of allergic cytokines than bepotastine besilate 1.5% and olopatadine HCL 0.1%. It may be more beneficial to use less toxic agents for allergic patients with ocular surface disorder or presumed symptoms of toxicity.

Financial Disclosure:

... research is funded, fully or partially, by a competing company