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Kinetics of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate penetration into the human aqueous humor after topical application
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  • Carlo Cagini,
  • Alessio Muzi,
  • Greta Castellucci,
  • Giulia Ragna,
  • Marco Lupidi,
  • Husam BR Alabed,
  • Roberto Maria Pellegrino
Carlo Cagini
University of Perugia

Corresponding Author:carlo.cagini@unipg.it

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Alessio Muzi
University of Perugia
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Greta Castellucci
University of Perugia
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Giulia Ragna
University of Perugia
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Marco Lupidi
University of Perugia
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Husam BR Alabed
University of Perugia
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Roberto Maria Pellegrino
University of Perugia
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Abstract

Aim of the study: Hydrocortisone is a soft steroid with low anti-inflammatory properties and a short duration of action, used to manage several ocular conditions. The clinical benefits and side effects associated with hydrocortisone are well documented, but its basic pharmacokinetic in the eye is yet to be fully elucidated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anterior chamber penetration capabilities of hydrocortisone when used in different concentrations as eye drops treatment. Materials and Methods: This is a double-blind, single-center, randomized clinical trial performed at the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Perugia (Italy) on consecutive patients who have undergone phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Patients were randomly assigned on the morning of surgery to receive a single instillation of 0.33% (group A) or 0.001% (group B) hydrocortisone sodium phosphate solution. Group of patients C did not receive any treatment and was used to measure the hydrocortisone endogenous levels. Before surgery, one aliquot of aqueous humor for each patient was aspirated. The time of collection for each sample was recorded. Hydrocortisone concentrations were then stratified into six interval classes of 30 minutes each. Results: The mean concentration of hydrocortisone was significantly higher in group A (25.2±12.4 ng/ml) compared with group B (7.11±1.51 ng/ml) and compared to the mean hydrocortisone endogenous levels (3.92±1.18 ng/ml) (p<0.0001). No statistically significant differences of hydrocortisone mean concentrations between group B and the mean endogenous levels were found. Conclusions: Considering the frequent need for prolonged topical steroid therapies and the possible consequent undesirable side effects, ophthalmologists should consider the lowest clinically effective dose of hydrocortisone useful to obtain the desired therapeutic effect and in an adequate time, to minimize the amount of steroids into the anterior chamber and to avoid side effects, such as intraocular pressure increase or cataract development.
21 Jul 2021Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
21 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
21 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
10 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
27 Sep 20211st Revision Received
27 Sep 2021Submission Checks Completed
27 Sep 2021Assigned to Editor
27 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Sep 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
26 Oct 2021Published in International Journal of Clinical Practice. 10.1111/ijcp.14987