The Effect Of Amniotic Membrane On Limbal Damaged Rabbit Cornea

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see the effects of amniotic membrane transplantation on central 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 32 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 16 rabbits. Human amniotic membrane transplantation(HAMT) was performed in all eyes immediately after the wound. We evaluated the epithelial healing pattern and the densities of corneal keratocytes and PMNs in the excised corneas at 1 week and 3 weeks. We also evaluated the proliferating cells using monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results:The epithelial healing pattern in AMT group was better than that of the control group. The density of the keratocytes were the same in two groups but the density of PMNs in AMT group were markedly decreased. The number of proliferating epithelial cells were higher in AMT group but that of keratocytes were the same in both groups. Conclusion: Amniotic membrane transplantation enhanced epithelial wound healing and reduced inflammatory cellular infiltration in alkali injured rabbit corneas with limbal damage but had no significant effect on keratocytes.

Keywords: 372 cornea: epithelium • 374 cornea: stroma and keratocytes • 434 immunohistochemistry