Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.49(6) > 1008299

Hwang, Roh, and Chung: Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing After Treatment with Gatifloxacin with or Without Benzalkonium Chloride in Rabbits

Abstract

Purpose

This study was performed to compare the effect of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones gatifloxacin on epithelial healing and penetration into the aqueous humor following corneal epithelial removal. The administered drugs were Zymar TM and Gatiflo®, which differ from each other by the presence of benzalkonium chloride.

Methods

Eighteen eyes of nine New Zealand white rabbits were randomized to receive either Zymar TM or Gatiflo® following anterior keratectomy with a diameter of 6.0 mm. Eyes were dosed with either antibiotic according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval; specifically, Zymar TM and Gatiflo® were dosed every two hours for the first two days and then four times daily for the following five days. Starting from postoperative day 0, photos were taken daily to measure the area of the residual epithelial defects. Anterior chamber paracentesis was performed to determine the drug concentration at postoperative days 1, 2, and 7.

Results

The mean healing times after Zymar TM and Gatiflo® treatment were 3.0±0.71 and 3.2±0.84 days, respectively ( P=0.813). No statistically significant differences in the mean healing time and the mean area of the healed corneal wound were noted between the two groups. No difference in anterior chamber concentration was observed between the two groups at postoperative day 7 ( P=0.362).

Conclusions

Although the two drugs differ in that on drug has preservatives, no significant differences were found in the epithelial healing effect or anterior chamber concentration after short-term dosing for 1 week in this trial.

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Figure 1.
(A), (C) Baseline fluorescein images from representative corneas in the Zymar TM (A), and Gatiflo® (C) treatment groups. Images were acquired immediately following surgery. (B),(D) Fluorescein images from representative corneas in the Zymar TM (B), and Gatiflo® (D) treatment groups 72 hours after surgery. The images show the same corneas presented in the Figures A and C.
jkos-49-987f1.tif
Table 1.
Mean corneal area stained with fluorescein afte surgery
Days Mean stained corneal area (pixels) P-value
Zymar TM Gatiflo®
0 187909.8±11987.3 186940.2±6825.3 0.725
1 116550.2±39927.0 98979.2±16362.3 0.394
2 17519±24300.6 16452.5±20003.0 0.344
3 659±1473.6 1833.3±2858.2 0.356
4 0 0

Data represent mean± standard deviation.

Table 2.
Number of eyes showing complete epithelial healing on each post‐ operative day following corneal epithelial removal
Days Drug TM® P-value
Zymar TM Gatiflo®
1 0 0
2 2 2
3 4 3
4 5 5
Average 3.0±0.71 3.2±0.84 0.813

Data represent mean± standard deviation.

Table 3.
Mean area of healed corneal wound normalized to percentage of baseline
Days Drug P-value
Zymar TM Gatiflo®
1 0.370±0.251 0.470±0.093 0.421
2 0.901±0.139 0.910±0.109 0.375
3 0.996±0.008 0.990±0.016 0.313
4 1 1

Data represent mean±standard deviation.

Table 4.
Each antibiotic concentration in aqueous chamber
Days Concentration (µg/ml) P-value
Zymar TM Gatiflo®
1 4.95 (2) 5.39 (2)
2 1.32 (2) 1.96 (2)
7 0.31 (5) 0.69 (5) 0.362

Number in the parenthesis indicates that of assigned eyes.

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