Evaluation of the ocular cytotoxicity of topical sevoflurane in sirc cells: An in vitro study

Abstract

Introduction: Sevoflurane (SF) has been reported to exhibit topical analgesic/antimicrobial effects. This study evaluated its cytotoxicity on the ocular surface by comparing SF with povidone-iodine (PI) and balanced saline solution (BSS) in an epithelial cell model.

Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed using the Short-Time Exposure Test (OECD 491) on Seruminstitut Rabbit Cornea (SIRC) cells. Cultures were exposed for 5 min to SF (100 %), PI (5 %) or BSS and viability was determined by the MTT assay. Recovery at 0, 30, and 60 min and the effect of a double SF exposure were also evaluated.

Results: Median viabilities were: 85.3 % for SF, 0.5 % for PI and 97.3 % for BSS (p = 0.005). Significant differences were found between 0 and 30 min (p = 0.021) and 0-60 min (p = 0.038). Double exposure did not significantly modify SF viability (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: SF did not demonstrate significant cytotoxicity in vitro, unlike PI. However, in vivo studies are required to confirm its ocular safety.

Keywords: Cytotoxicity; MTT assay; Ocular surface; Rabbit corneal epithelial cells; Sevoflurane.