Abstract Listings 2024

Purpose

To study the dependence of the cytotoxic effect of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) on lacrimal canaliculi (LC) epitheliocytes according to BAC concentration and exposure time.

Methods

LC epithelium was obtained after enzymatic dissociation of a sample of basal epithelium obtained during punctoplasty. Cells were cultured and typed. A cell culture with BAC at a concentration of 40 μg/mL was exposed for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 minutes, as well as with BAC at an each minute decreasing concentration of 40, 35, 34, 33, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, and 25 μg/mL. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTS assay; cell survival was monitored by double staining with calcein-AM and ethidium homodimer.

Results

Cell survival in the group with a stationary BAC concentration was 69.7±3.2% on the 1st minute, on the 2nd – 64.8±8.1%, on the 3rd – 56.8±12.0%, on the 4th – 42.5±9.2%, on the 5th – 43.6±13.7%, on the 6th – 39.7±10.2%, on the 7th – 40.3±6.0%, on the 8th – 41.2±3.6%, on the 9th – 34.0±4.1%; in the group with decreasing BAC concentration, it was 85.3±7.5% on the 1st minute, on the 2nd – 77.4±7.2%, on the 3rd – 75.6±0.6%, on the 4th – 68.1±2.1%, on the 5th – 56.9±10.6%, on the 6th – 55.4±14.3%, on the 7th – 63.4±7.0%, on the 8th – 55.0±4.3%, on the 9th – 42.9±4.4%.

Conclusion

The cytotoxic effect of BAC on the epitheliocytes of the LC showed itself to be dose-dependent. When exposed to non-lethal concentrations, the proliferative potential of epitheliocytes allows them to recover. This depends on the time to the next cytotoxic action. A gradual decrease in the concentration of BAC, imitating its dilution with tear fluid and tear drainage, has a protective effect on epitheliocytes. This explains the decrease in the likelihood of obstruction of the LC due to the action of BAC in cases with normal lacrimation, in contrast to cases with dry eye syndrome

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