Evaluation of the InP/ZnSe/ZnS 650 Quantum Dots Toxic Effect on the Eye Anterior Segment Structures upon Intracameral Administration in vivo Experiment

Objective: to evaluate the toxic effect of InP/ZnSe/ZnS 650 nanoparticles (quantum dots) on the structures of the anterior segment of the eye during their intracameral administration in vivo.

Materials and methods. An experimental study was conducted on 20 eyes of New Zealand rabbits. Animals were divided into 4 groups: three groups were injected into the anterior chamber of the eye with a solution of quantum dots at concentrations of 1%, 0.1% and 0.01%, respectively, the fourth group (control) received a balanced saline solution. Corneal, iris, anterior chamber moisture, and corneal endothelium were evaluated by slit lamp, optical coherence tomography, and endothelial microscopy on Days 1 and 7 after injection.

Results. Clinically, there were no signs of inflammation or toxic damage (corneal edema, hypopyon, precipitates) in all groups. Endothelial microscopy data showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between groups and follow-up periods in key morphometric parameters: endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), and percentage of hexagonal cells (6A). The parameters remained within the physiological norm for this animal species.

Conclusion. Intracameral administration of InP/ZnSe/ZnS 650 quantum dots at the studied concentrations (up to 1%) does not have a toxic effect on the structures of the anterior segment of the eye under experimental conditions in vivo during the observation period of 7 days. The data obtained demonstrate the high biocompatibility of nanoparticles and justify the prospects for their further study as a platform for targeted drug delivery in the treatment of severe infectious eye diseases.

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