Epithelial healing in experimental corneal alkali wounds with nondiluted autologous serum eye drops

• Published in: Cutaneous and ocular toxicology 2010-06, Vol.29 (2), p.116-121
• Main Authors: Salman, lknur Akyol, Gündo du, Cemal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alkali injury; Alkalies; alkaline corneal epithelial wound healing; Animals; Autologous serum; Burns, Chemical - pathology; Burns, Chemical - therapy; Cornea - pathology; corneal wound healing; Epithelium, Corneal - pathology; Eye - pathology; Eye Diseases - chemically induced; Eye Diseases - pathology; Fluorescein; Fluorescent Dyes; Hyperplasia - pathology; Ophthalmic Solutions; Rabbits; Serum; Wound Healing - drug effects
• ISSN: 1556-9527; 1556-9535
• DOI: 10.3109/15569521003709558

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of the topical application of nondiluted autologous serum on epithelial healing as an adjuvant therapy in rabbit corneal alkali wounds. Methods: Central corneal alkali wounds were produced on the right eye of 16 rabbits, by a 60-second application of a 6-mm round filter paper soaked in 1 N sodium hydroxide (NaOH). One group of rabbits (n=8) was treated with non-diluted autologous serum, the other control group (n=8) was treated with physiologic saline, topically 4 times a day. The epithelial healing of the wounds was followed on a slit lamp with and without fluorescein staining daily for 1 week. On day 7, both corneas of each rabbit were excised and assessed histopathologically. Results: A significant increase in the epithelial healing rate was observed in the autologous serum-treated corneas compared with the controls. Epithelial hyperplasia was noticed in specimens with thickened surface cells with multilayers, revealing disorganization in both groups. The autologous serum-treated epithelium showed a relatively well-organized appearance. Conclusion: Nondiluted autologous serum eye drops could be used as an adjuvant therapy for promoting the epithelial healing process during the repair stage of corneal alkali wounds.