Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of limbal transplantation with amniotic membrane transplantation on corneal wound healing after limbal damage in alkali injured rabbit corneas. Methods: A 5.5 mm round filter paper soaked in 1 N NaOH was applied on one eye of 24 New Zealand white rabbits for 60sec. The limbal epithelium was removed with 60 sec. application of a 3 mm filter paper strip soaked in 0.2 N NaOH in one eye of 24 rabbits. 1 month after the limbal damage, limbal transplantation(ALT) was performed in 12 eyes and amniotic membrane transplantation(AMT) was performed in remaining 12 eyes. We evaluated the epithelial healing pattern and the infiltration of new vessels into the cornea after the surgery. We also evaluated the density of the stromal cells and the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMNs). Proliferating cells were studied using monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results: The epithelial healing pattern and the degree of vascular infiltration in ALT group was better than that of the AMT group. However, the density of PMNs in AMT group were markedly decreased. The number of proliferating epithelial cells were higher in AMT group but that of the keratocytes were the same in both groups. Conclusions: AMT alone did not enhance epithelial wound healing and prevent the vascular infiltration compared to ALT. However, AMT significantly reduced inflammatory cellular infiltration in alkali injured rabbit corneas with limbal damage.
Keywords: cornea: stroma and keratocytes • wound healing • immunohistochemistry