Ocular Tolerability of Preservative-Free Tafluprost and Latanoprost: in vitro and in vivo Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Detrimental effects of the preserved prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) have been thoroughly documented in the published literature. The current work studied two preservative-free (PF) prostaglandin eye drops: PF tafluprost and PF latanoprost. The aim of the study was to compare these two PF formulations in vitro for viability of the human corneal epithelial (HCE-T) cells and in vivo for ocular tolerability of the rabbit eye. METHOD: Viability of the HCE-T cells was measured by the MTS assay. The SV40-immortalized HCE-T cells were exposed to 100 µL of the drug solutions (at their commercial concentrations) or the culture medium. Ocular irritation was evaluated after repeated instillation of the drug solutions in Japanese white rabbits (Kbl:JW). RESULTS: A significant loss of HCE-T cell viability was observed in vitro immediately after the exposure to PF latanoprost formulation but not immediately after the exposure to PF tafluprost formulation. Congruently, PF latanoprost induced in vivo more irritation on the rabbit eye than PF tafluprost. CONCLUSION: Comparing these two PF formulations in vitro and in vivo, it is considered that ocular tolerability of PF tafluprost is better than PF latanoprost. Taking into account the composition of these two PF PGA formulations, the solubilizing agent macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate 40 (MGHS40) contained in PF latanoprost formulation is a plausible cause for the negative effects.

The cytotoxic effects of preserved and preservative-free prostaglandin analogs on human corneal and conjunctival epithelium in vitro and the distribution of benzalkonium chloride homologs in ocular surface tissues in vivo.

PURPOSE: To investigate the cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-containing ophthalmic solutions of prostaglandin analogs (latanoprost, travoprost, bimatoprost, and preservative-free (PF) tafluprost), BAC mixture (BACmix) and BAC homologs with different alkyl chain lengths using human corneal epithelial (HCE) and conjunctival epithelial (IOBA-NHC) cell cultures. The distribution of BAC homologs in rabbit ocular surface tissues in vivo was examined. METHODS: The cells were exposed for one hour to prostaglandin analogs, BACmix and three homologs. Cytotoxicity was assessed with the WST-1 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays for cellular viability and cell membrane integrity. BAC 0.02% solution was instilled on the rabbit eye daily for 14 days and the concentrations of BAC homologs in external ocular tissues were determined. RESULTS: The order of decreasing cytotoxicity in the WST-1 test was latanoprost ≥ travoprost > bimatoprost ≥ PF tafluprost. IOBA-NHC cells were more sensitive than HCE cells. In HCE, only latanoprost diluted to 10% increased LDH leakage. In IOBA-NHC, LDH leakage was statistically significant with 3-10% travoprost and 10% latanoprost. The order of decreasing cytotoxicity of preservatives was C14 > C12 > BACmix > C16 in HCE and C12 > C14 > BACmix > C16 in IOBA-NHC. Following treatment with BAC 0.02% solution, the amounts of BAC-C12, -C14 and -C16 in rabbit cornea and conjunctiva, respectively were: 0.37 ± 0.08 and 2.64 ± 0.27 ng/mg; 0.42 ± 0.07 and 4.77 ± 0.43 ng/mg; 0.04 ± 0.01 and 0.54 ± 0.05 ng/mg. CONCLUSIONS: The cytotoxic effects of latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost were dependent on the BAC concentration in their formulations. BACmix was cytotoxic at the concentrations above those corresponding to 0.001% BAC in ophthalmic medications. PF tafluprost was the least toxic of the drugs tested. Within studied BAC homologs, those with longer alkyl chain and higher lipophility penetrated effectively into rabbit external ocular tissues.

Metabolism and ocular tissue distribution of an antiglaucoma prostanoid, tafluprost, after ocular instillation to monkeys.

PURPOSE: To investigate the metabolism of a new antiglaucoma difluoroprostaglandin, tafluprost, in ocular tissues and evaluate the distribution of the parent drug and its metabolites in ocular and systemic tissues after a single ocular administration to cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). METHODS: A single dose of an ophthalmic solution containing 0.0005%, 0.005%, or 0.05% [(3)H]tafluprost was topically instilled (20 µL/eye) to male and/or female cynomolgus monkeys to study tissue distribution and metabolism. Blood, ocular/systemic tissues, or excreta were collected until 24 h after dosing. The radioactivity of each sample was measured by liquid scintillation counting, and metabolites were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major metabolites found in ocular tissues were intracameraly administered to monkeys to confirm their effect on intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: Soon after dosing, high concentrations of drug-related radioactivity were observed in the cornea and bulbar/palpebral conjunctiva, followed by the iris, sclera, choroid with retinal pigmented epithelium, and aqueous humor. The highest concentration of radioactivity concentrations occurred in the anterior and posterior ocular tissues within 2 h after dosing. The radioactivity measured in the plasma and ocular tissues was proportional to the dose administered. The major metabolites of tafluprost identified in the ocular tissues were tafluprost acid and 1,2-dinor- and 1,2,3,4-tetaranor-tafluprost acid. The estimated concentration of tafluprost acid in the aqueous humor and ciliary body was enough to stimulate prostanoid FP-receptors. After hydrolysis to the acid form, the primary metabolic pathway of tafluprost was via ß-oxidation and, subsequently, oxidation. No metabolic reactions to the 15-carbon position were observed. Tafluprost acid was shown to significantly lower the IOP, whereas 1,2-dinor- and 1,2,3,4-tetaranor-tafluprost acid did not. CONCLUSIONS: Topically administered [(3)H]tafluprost was well absorbed into the ocular and systemic tissues of the primary nonclinical species, monkey. The amount of the pharmacologically active form, that is, tafluprost acid, was high enough to occupy the target FP receptors at the site of action. The pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties of this difluorinated prostaglandin in primates are believed to result in clinical benefits of a long-term IOP-lowering effect.

Corneal penetration into rabbit aqueous humor is comparable between preserved and preservative-free tafluprost.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have shown that benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a preservative used in antiglaucoma medications, can increase corneal permeability by acting as a penetration enhancer. Tafluprost is a new prostaglandin F(2)(alpha) analog in clinical use for the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. METHODS: This study evaluated the corneal penetration of preservative-free tafluprost 0.0015% eye drops and tafluprost 0.0015% eye drops preserved with 0.01% BAK into the aqueous humor of rabbits. RESULTS: After the administration of a single topical dose (30 microl), the maximum concentrations at 45 min of tafluprost acid in aqueous humor were 4.50 ng/ml for preservative-free tafluprost and 3.99 ng/ml for preserved tafluprost. The area under the concentration-time curves from 45 min to 3 h was 5.14 ng h/ml for the preservative-free formulation and 4.54 ng h/ml for the preserved formulation. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that BAK does not affect the corneal penetration of tafluprost into the rabbit aqueous humor.