Effects of ophthalmologic solutions on sinonasal ciliated epithelium

Background

Off-label use of topical ophthalmologic formulations for treatment of rhinologic disease is cited in recent literature and is anecdotally prevalent among practicing otolaryngologists. Steroids, antibiotics, and other drugs designed for ocular use have subjective clinical efficacy in the nose and sinuses, but their specific effects on the ciliated epithelium are less well defined. This study examines 9 commercially available ophthalmologic drug formulations for effects on ciliary motility in sinonasal cultures, in an effort to characterize their utility as topical therapies for sinonasal diseases.

Methods

Ophthalmologic solutions were tested on human sinonasal cultures grown at an air-liquid interface. Baseline ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was recorded and compared with CBF changes in the 20 minutes after drug addition. Substances were categorized by degree of ciliostimulation or cilioinhibition.

Results

All ophthalmologic solutions tested had only moderate effects on CBF during the 20-minute experimental period, with no solutions causing overt ciliostasis. Azithromycin, neomycin, and olopatadine were slightly ciliostimulatory, whereas levofloxacin, tobramycin, dexamethasone, azelastine, and prednisolone acetate were cilioinhibitory. Ciprofloxacin elicited moderate cilioinhibition that progressed to ciliostimulation.

Conclusion

All solutions tested appear to have moderate effects on ciliated cell surfaces for a period of time typical of mucociliary clearance (10 to 20 minutes). Both active drugs and excipients can play a role in ciliary modulation, and specific formulations can show unique or unexpected properties. Any other individual ophthalmologic solutions to be used in a nasal drug delivery system should be tested in this manner to evaluate potential ciliary effects before clinical use.

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