Abstract
Purpose: :
Quantification the levels of a panel of growth factors (GFs) present in three different plasma derived preparations. These GFs are implicated in the wound healing process of the corneal epithelium.
Methods: :
Whole blood was collected by venipuncture from 16 healthy volunteers (age 30-60). Blood was processed by 3 differents methods: 1) centrifugation at 460 g for 8 min. 2) centrifugation at 460 g for 8 min. followed by coagulation and 3) coagulation and centrifugation at 1000 g for 15 min. The concentration of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epithelial growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and fibronectin were measured from undiluted preparations using commercially available Quantikine colorimetric sandwich ELISA kits (R&D, Minneapolis, USA), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. All ELISAs were performed in triplicate.
Results: :
The results show significant difference in EGF levels of preparation 2 (489.12 ± 95.48 pg/ml). However the highest levels of VEGF (160.06 ± 66.18 pg/ml) and HGF (275.83 ± 76.96 pg/ml) were found in preparation 3. We also observe that the levels of FGF and VEGF are influenced by the age of the volunteer.
Conclusions: :
The methods of blood process can be decisive in the levels of GFs in the final preparation. We obtain highest EGF levels, which is critic for corneal reepithelialisation, with preparation 2: centrifugation at 460 g for 8 min. followed by coagulation.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • wound healing