Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To investigate the biocompatibility of collagen-based blended biomaterials in vivo.Methods:Collagen-based composites that were blended with synthetic acrylamide-based polymers were transplanted into corneal pockets of 12 female Japanese white rabbits, with a 3 mm central window to allow epithelilal migration on to the polymer. Transplanted eyes were followed by slit lamp examination for up to 30 days, after which animals were sacrificed for histology. Human amniotic membranes served as control, and were similarly tranplanted into corneal pockets according to protocol. All animals received topical antibiotics (levofloxacin) without the use of steroids or other immunosuppressive agents.Results:11 out of 12 eyes in the synthetic polymer group and 6 out of 9 amniotic membrane implants epithelialized within 3 days. All eyes eventualy epithelialized without adverse reactions. Hisotology revealed intact polymers with miminal cellular infiltration in eyes that achieved early epithelialization. However, most eyes in which epithelialization was delayed showed signs of decomposition and resorption of the compound, accompanied by imflammatory cells and fibroblastic growth. Amniotic membrane did not show signs of decomposition during the study.Conclusion:Although the biopolymers equivalents support a stratified corneal epithelial layer, this blend was unstable. Further modifications of the polymers or use of alternative structures that will covalently crosslink collagen is required for stability. This work is underway.
Keywords: 451 keratoprostheses • 474 microscopy: light/fluorescence/immunohistochemistry • 607 transplantation