Abstract
Purpose: :
We have previously demonstrated the successful treatment of a case of neurotrophic keratopathy with eyedrops containing the substance P–derived peptide FGLM–NH2 and insulin–like growth factor–1 (IGF–1). We also recently showed that the peptide SSSR, which is derived from the C domain of IGF–1, mimics the synergistic effect of IGF–1 with FGLM–NH2 on corneal epithelial wound healing. We have now performed an uncontrolled case series study of treatment with eyedrops containing FGLM–NH2 and SSSR in eight patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects.
Methods: :
Six men and two women aged 57 to 84 years (mean ± SD, 70.0 ± 9.5 years) with persistent corneal epithelial defects and a reduced corneal sensation were enrolled in the study between January 2004 and August 2005. Administration of eyedrops containing FGLM–NH2 (1 mg/ml) plus SSSR (10 µg/ml) was performed four times a day. Clinical efficacy was determined from the decrease in the area of fluorescein staining of the cornea on slitlamp photographs.
Results: :
The epithelial defects of three patients disappeared within 1 week of the initiation of treatment. At the end of the 2–week treatment period, the epithelial defects of an additional two patients had disappeared and those of one patient had decreased in size by 50%. The epithelial defects of two patients were not affected by treatment. No worsening of clinical findings or adverse effects were observed in any of the study subjects.
Conclusions: :
Administration of eyedrops containing both FGLM–NH2 and SSSR is effective for the treatment of persistent epithelial defects in individuals with neurotrophic keratopathy.
Keywords: wound healing • growth factors/growth factor receptors • neurotransmitters/neurotransmitter systems