Effect of Meropenem and Meropenem/Vancomycin on RPE cell in-vitro (in-vitro Safety Analysis)
Seyedeh shahla Hoseini1 *
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Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract: Endophthalmitis is a severe inflammation that affects both the anterior and posterior parts of the eye. A combination of anti-bacterial drugs capable of covering a variety of microorganisms is usually prescribed. Studies have shown that Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cells are one of the most damaged cells in intravitreal injection therapy. This study aimed to examine the impact of meropenem (alone or in combination with vancomycin) on RPE cell apoptosis
Methods: RPE cells from passages 5-7 were treated with a serial concentration of meropenem (1/4x, x, and 4x; [x = 16 mg/L]), vancomycin (30 mg/L), and meropenem+ vancomycin for 24 hours. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the toxicity of drug treatment on RPE cells. The quantitative relative expression of apoptotic genes (BCL-2, BAX) was calculated in the treated versus control cells using real-time PCR
Results: Our data showed that meropenem (alone or in combination with vancomycin) had no cytotoxic effect on RPE cells. The analysis of gene expression also confirmed the MT data and showed no significant alteration of BCL-2/BAX ratio in the drug-treated RPE cells compared to the controls
Conclusion: Meropenem (alone or in combination with vancomycin) did not promote apoptosis in RPE cells via the BCL-2/BAX pathway. This finding is in favor of meropenem safety for RPE cells and might be a helpful drug for the management of bacterial endophthalmitis
