Pharmacokinetic and Toxicity Investigations of a New Intraocular Lens with a Dexamethasone Drug Delivery System: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Ophthalmologica (Basel) Vol. 220; no. 5; pp. 338 - 342
• Main Authors: Siqueira, Rubens C., Ribeiro Filho, Elias, Fialho, Sílvia L., Lucena, Levy R., Maia Filho, Alfredo, Haddad, Antônio, Jorge, Rodrigo, Scott, Ingrid U., da Silva Cunha, Armando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.01.2006; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Animals; Aqueous Humor - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Availability; Cataract Extraction; Dexamethasone - administration & dosage; Dexamethasone - pharmacokinetics; Dexamethasone - toxicity; Drug Delivery Systems; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Glucocorticoids - pharmacokinetics; Glucocorticoids - toxicity; Lactic Acid; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Lenses, Intraocular; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Ophthalmology; Original Paper; Pilot Projects; Polyglycolic Acid; Polymers; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Rabbits; Vitreous Body - metabolism; Intraocular lens, toxicity; Intraocular lens, pharmacokinetics; Dexamethasone drug delivery systems; Pilot; Corticosteroid; Dexamethasone; Steroid hormone; Toxicity; Antiinflammatory agent; Drug carrier; Treatment; Surgery; Intraocular lens; Pharmacokinetics
• ISSN: 0030-3755; 1423-0267
• DOI: 10.1159/000094626

Aim: To investigate the short-term safety and pharmacokinetic behavior of a new intraocular lens containing a dexamethasone drug delivery system (IOL-DDS) in rabbit eyes. Methods: A modified polymethylmethacrylate IOL containing a biodegradable dexamethasone DDS was implanted into the posterior chamber of the right eyes of 9 New Zealand white rabbits. Serial slitlamp and indirect ophthalmoscopic examinations (including grading of intraocular inflammation) were performed. After 3, 6 and 9 days, the rabbits were euthanized and the globes were removed for histological examination and for determination of dexamethasone levels in the aqueous humor and in the vitreous. Analysis of dexamethasone concentrations was performed by ELISA. Results: Therapeutic concentrations of dexamethasone were detectable in the aqueous and vitreous of the study eyes throughout the 9-day period in all tested animals. The mean aqueous dexamethasone concentration (ng/ml, ±SD) was 1,015.42 (±43.05), 970.11 (±32.47) and 757.58 (±30.19) and the mean vitreous concentration (ng/ml, ±SD) was 399.82 (±38.05), 287.38 (±34.47) and 268.15 (±32.00) at 3, 6 and 9 days after the surgical procedure, respectively. No corneal or retinal histological changes were observed during the study period. Conclusion: The IOL-DDS is effective in delivering therapeutic concentrations of dexamethasone to the aqueous and vitreous, without acute damage to the cornea and retina. Further controlled studies in the same animal model are under way to determine the potential value of this lens in the prevention and treatment of inflammation following cataract surgery.