Abstract
Purpose. To study the effects of antiviral agents on human keratocytes in vitro. Methods. Cultured human keratocytes were incubated with various concentrations of ganciclovir (GCV), idoxuridine (IDU), trifluridine (TFT) and cidofovir (HPMPC). Evaluations were performed by means of phase contrast microscopy and XTT colorimetric assay (Boehringer Mannheim) after 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation with the drug (concentrations from 0.0001 to 10 mg/ml). Results. After adjusting for time of incubation and concentration, TFT reduced cell viability significantly more than did GCV, IDU and HPMPC (p<0.001, three-way ANOVA). TFT and HPMPC resulted in significant time and dose-cependent reduction of cell viability (p<0.001). GCV and IDU produced less viable cells after 72 hours of incubation, compared to 24 and 48 hours of incubation fp<0.001), and only the effects of the highest concentration tested (1.0 mg/ml) were significantly different from those of the lower concentrations (p< 0.002). At a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml, TFT and HPMPC displayed moderate to severe signs of cytotoxicity, whereas GCV and IDU displayed mild to moderate morphological signs. Conclusions. Our results indicate that antiviral agents may have toxic effects on stromal keratocytes related to drug concentration and exposure time. These findings may have an important impact on the selection of the most appropriate drug to treat viral infections involving the corneal stroma.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | S79 |
Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - Feb 15 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience