A method for registration of toxic drug effects on corneal endothelium. Effect of gentamicin on rabbit corneal endothelium.

A weight recording system (Medin & Davanger 1988, 1989), was used to demonstrate possible toxic damage of a medicament to the endothelium of rabbit corneas stored in organ culture. Seven corneas were stored in organ culture medium containing gentamicin (3.0 mg/ml). Seven other corneas stored in identical organ culture medium without gentamicin served as controls. The corneas were followed with weight recordings for up to 76 h. A toxic effect of gentamicin was demonstrated by a rapid weight increase in the corneas stored in the presence of gentamicin. After 5.3 h there was a significant difference (P = 0.0002) between the average weights of the two groups, and this difference increased during the following 2-3 days. Corneas from the two groups were also examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. There was good accordance between the weight recordings and the morphology. The weight recording system detects clearly the toxic effect of gentamicin (3.0 mg/ml).