The Effect of Gentamicin on Calcium Transport in Normal Rabbit Lenses According to the Route of Administration

ABSTRACT

Endophthalmitis is one of the most catastrophic complications in intraocular surgery and penetrating injuries of the eye and intraocular injection of gentamicin is frequently used for its treatment. But the use of gentamicn resulted in sight-limiting complication such as cataract and the increased calcium level in the lens is an important factor of cataractogenesls. In this experiment, Ca++ - achivated ATPase activity, active Ca++ efflux and calcium concentration in the lens were measured at day 1, day 3 and 7 days after injection of gentamicin into the anterior chamber or vitreous to compare the effect on calcium transport in the rabbit lenses according to the route of administration. Ca++ -activated ATPase activity was progressively inhibited, active efflux of Ca++ was significantly decreased and calcium concentration progressively increased. So, it may be speculated that the decreased active efflux of Ca++ from the lens is related to inhibiting Ca++ -activated ATPase activity and this makes the accumulation of calcium in the lens. These effects were more severe in the intravitreal injection than in the intracameral injection group.