Human Chondrocyte Viability After Treatment With Local Anesthetic and/or Magnesium: Results From an In Vitro Study

• Published in: Arthroscopy Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 213 - 217
• Main Authors: Baker, Joseph F., M.B.Ch.B, Byrne, Damien P., Ph.D, Walsh, Pauline M., Ph.D, Mulhall, Kevin J., F.R.C.S.I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-02-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amides - pharmacology; Amides - toxicity; Anesthetics, Local - pharmacology; Anesthetics, Local - toxicity; Arthroscopy; Biological and medical sciences; Bupivacaine - analogs & derivatives; Bupivacaine - pharmacology; Bupivacaine - toxicity; Cell Line; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Chondrocytes - cytology; Chondrocytes - drug effects; Endoscopy; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnesium Sulfate - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Orthopedic surgery; Orthopedics; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Local anesthetic; Human; Arthroscopy; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Chondrocyte; Endoscopy; Magnesium; In vitro
• ISSN: 0749-8063; 1526-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2010.06.029

Purpose We aimed to assess the effect on chondrocyte viability of adding magnesium to a variety of commonly available local anesthetic agents. Methods Human chondrocytes were grown under standard culture conditions. Cells were exposed to a local anesthetic agent with the addition of magnesium (10%, 20%, or 50%). Cells were also exposed to the varying concentrations of magnesium and 0.9% saline solution. Untreated cells served as controls. The CellTiter 96 AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay was used to assess for cell viability 24 hours after exposure. One-way analysis of variance was used to test for statistical significance. Results Magnesium sulfate alone was no more toxic than normal saline solution ( P > .3) compared with untreated cells. The addition of magnesium to the local anesthetic agents resulted in greater cell viability than when cells were treated with a local anesthetic alone (lidocaine [ P = .033], levobupivacaine [ P = .007], bupivacaine [ P < .001], and ropivacaine [ P < .001]). Conclusions Our findings support the use of magnesium either alone or in combination with a local anesthetic rather than a local anesthetic alone, and this represents a potential strategy for the reduction of chondrocyte toxicity associated with intra-articular local anesthetic administration after arthroscopy. Clinical Relevance The addition of magnesium to a local anesthetic results in a reduced toxic effect to the articular chondrocyte. This may represent a potential approach to intra-articular analgesia.