Effects of antimicrobials on corneal epithelial migration
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M Nakamura1, T Nishida, H Mishima
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract:
The slowed healing rates observed by some investigators may be caused by vehicles or preservatives in the antimicrobials preparations tested. To determine whether antimicrobials directly inhibit corneal epithelial wound healing, we cultured blocks of the rabbit cornea in media containing various concentrations of antibiotics or antimicrobials (at 1, 10, or 100 micrograms/ml); after 24 hours, we measured the distance of epithelium that had migrated down the side of each block. The higher concentrations of fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin; 74 +/- 5.8% of control at 100 micrograms/ml, p < 0.05, ciprofloxacin; 4.4 +/- 1.5% of control at 100 micrograms/ml, p < 0.01, or norfloxacin; 71 +/- 7.0% at 10 mu g/ml, p < 0.01, and 1.5 +/- 0.4% of control at 100 mu g/ml, p < 0.01) and the highest concentrations of peptides (polymyxin B; 64 +/- 3.0% of control at 100 micrograms/ml, p < 0.01, or colistin; 67 +/- 5.7% of control at 100 micrograms/ml, p < 0.01) or fosfomycin (79 +/- 6.2% of control at 100 micrograms/ml, p < 0.05) had an inhibitory effect on corneal epithelial migration. Among aminoglycosides tested, sisomicin (85 +/- 10.0% of control, not significant), dibekacin (76 +/- 11.6% of control, p < 0.05) and streptomycin (77 +/- 9.4% of control, not significant) were inhibitory at 100 micrograms/ml, but tobramycin had no effect. Penicillins (aspoxicillin, sulbenicillin or ampicillin), cephalosporins (cefmenoxime or cefminox), oxytetracycline, erythromycin and chloramphenicol did not affect epithelial migration at all. These results demonstrate that some antimicrobials are inhibitory at high concentrations, but penicillins, cephalosporins, oxytetracycline, erythromycin or chloramphenicol has no inhibitory effect on corneal epithelial migration.
Insights
Some antimicrobials can inhibit corneal epithelial wound healing at high concentrations. However, penicillins, cephalosporins, and other tested antibiotics showed no inhibitory effects on migration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antimicrobial preparations may contain vehicles or preservatives that affect corneal healing rates.
- The direct impact of antimicrobials on corneal epithelial wound healing requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if specific antimicrobial agents directly inhibit corneal epithelial wound healing in vitro.
- To assess the concentration-dependent effects of various antibiotics on epithelial cell migration.
Main Methods:
- Rabbit corneal explants were cultured in media with varying concentrations (1, 10, 100 µg/ml) of antibiotics.
- Epithelial cell migration distance was measured after 24 hours of incubation.
- Inhibitory effects were quantified as a percentage of control migration.
Main Results:
- High concentrations of fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin) and peptides (polymyxin B, colistin) significantly inhibited epithelial migration.
- Fosfomycin and some aminoglycosides (dibekacin) also showed inhibitory effects at high concentrations.
- Penicillins, cephalosporins, oxytetracycline, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol did not affect corneal epithelial migration.
Conclusions:
- Certain antimicrobials, particularly fluoroquinolones and polymyxins, can directly inhibit corneal epithelial wound healing at high concentrations.
- The findings suggest that the choice of antimicrobial agent and its concentration are critical factors in managing corneal wounds.
- Antibiotics like penicillins, cephalosporins, and others tested do not impede corneal epithelial migration.