J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1998 Sep;39(9):2003-2012.

Effects of Topically Applied Autologous Serum on Experimental Corneal Epithelial Healing Following Alkali Wounds

• Yoo JW
• Chung JH
• Lee HR

Abstract

The effect of topically applied autolohous serum was examined in experimental corneal alkali wounds. New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5kg, total 24(24 eyes), were used in this experiment. Initial epithelial wounds were induced by applying a 5.5mm round filter paper, soaked in 1N NaOH, put on the central cornea for 60 seconds. The animals were divided into two groups. One group received autologous serum topically four times per day for 3 weeks, and a second group was served as control, Light and electron microscopic examination were performed for the morphological evaluation of the repair process of alkali damaged cornea. The autologuous serum-treated group showed similar initial epithelial healing rate and cumulative epithelial defect size when compared with the control groups. In light and electron microscopic finding, three days after alkali wound, the control epithelium showed cuboidal-shaped cells with intraepithelial apoptosis-like structure. The autologous serum-treated group, showing elongated spindle shaped cells with multi-layer, revealed a severe disorganization. Three weeks after alkali wound, the control epithelium revealed a relatively well organized architecture and the junction between basement membrance and basal epithelium indicated loose adhesion, Highly disorganized epithelial cells and relatively tight adhesion between the basement membrane and basal epithelium were noticed in the autologous serum-treated group.

MeSH Terms

Alkalies*
Animals
Basement Membrane
Cornea
Epithelial Cells
Epithelium
Rabbits
Wounds and Injuries*
Alkalies