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473
Vancomycin is toxic to human chondrocytes in vitro
Eric Röhner1, Timo Zippelius2, Sabrina Böhle2
1Department of Orthopedics, Jena University Hospital, Campus Eisenberg, Klosterlausnitzer Straße 81, 07607, Eisenberg, Germany. e.roehner@waldkliniken-eisenberg.de.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
|April 3, 2020
Summary
Vancomycin powder (VP) can damage human chondrocytes in vitro, with toxicity increasing with concentration and exposure time. High VP concentrations above 12.5 mg/ml pose a significant risk to cartilage cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Orthopedics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Vancomycin powder (VP) is a topical antibiotic for surgical site infection prevention.
- Its use is expanding to hip and knee arthroplasty.
- Potential toxicity to chondrocytes requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the toxic effects of vancomycin powder on human chondrocyte viability.
- To determine if VP damages chondrocytes in vitro.
- To assess the dose- and time-dependent toxicity of VP.
Main Methods:
- Primary human chondrocytes were cultured.
- Cells were exposed to varying concentrations of VP (0-50 mg/ml) for different durations (0-336 h).
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and XTT assays, light, and fluorescence microscopy were used for analysis.
Main Results:
- Cell damage and death were observed, increasing with VP concentration and exposure time.
- Toxic effects on chondrocytes were detected as early as 2.5 minutes.
- A significant toxic threshold for VP was identified above 12.5 mg/ml.
Conclusions:
- High concentrations of vancomycin powder damage human chondrocytes in vitro.
- Chondrotoxicity is immediate and dose-dependent.
- Intra-articular use of high VP concentrations near native cartilage warrants critical consideration.
