Effects of the application of the amniotic membrane in the healing process of skin wounds in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the application of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) on the inflammatory process, fibroblast proliferation, formation of collagenand reduction of skin wound areas in rats. Methods: Thirty six rats were submitted to a surgical injury induction and divided into two groups (n = 18): group C (control) and T (treated with the HAM). The macroscopic evolution in the wound area and the histological characteristics of the skin samples were evaluated. Results: The regression of the wound area was greater in group T. The histological analysis revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the inflammatory infiltrate in group T at all experimental periods compared with that in the control group. Furthermore, the group T presented a significant increase in the proliferation of fibroblasts at 14 and 21 days compared with group C (p < 0.05). Regarding the deposition of mature collagen fibers, there was an increase in the replacement of type III collagen by type I collagen in group T (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with the HAM reduced the healing time as well as the inflammatory responses, increased the proliferation of fibroblasts, and induced a higher concentration of mature collagen fibers.

Determinaçäo dos receptores de estrogênio pelo método imunocitoquímico em fragmentos do epitélio de neovaginas de mulheres portadoras de agenesia vaginal / Determination of estrogen receptors by immunocitochemical method in fragments of epithelium of neovaginas in women with vaginal agenesis

OBJETIVOS: Observar as transformaçoes que ocorrem em fragmentos de membrana amniótica que foram utilizados para a confecçao de neovaginas em pacientes portadoras de agenesia útero-vaginal. CASUISTICA E METODOLOGIA: Foram 26 pacientes com agenesia utero-vaginal onde utilizou-se a técnica proposta por McIndoe. Para análise do epitélio da neovagina empregou-se método visando a determinaçao dos receptores de estrgênio citoplasmáticos (REc). Todos estes fragmentos de epitélio foram processados por método imunocitoquimico PAP (peroxidase x antiperoxidase). RESULTADOS: Estes receptores estrogênicos foram determinados em diversos graus de intensidade na camada profunda (CP), camada intermediária (CI) e na camada superficial (CS) dos epitélios de neovaginas. CONCLUSOES: O resultado obtido quanto ao grau de intensidade dos REc nas diversas camadas do epitélio vaginal de mulheres no menacme sao estatisticamente semelhantes e comparáveis no grau de intensidade aos fragmentos obtidos de epitélio de neovaginas confeccionadas com membrana amniótica.

The effects on inhibition of corneal neovascularization after human amniotic membrane transplantation in severely damaged rabbit corneas

Human amniotic membrane isolated from the placenta contained basement membrane components such as type IV collagen, laminin, and 6 and 4 integrins, all of which remained detectable while preserved in glycerin for one week. One month after the n-heptanol removal of the total corneal epithelium and the limbal lamellar keratectomy, all rabbit eyes carried features of limbal deficiency, including conjunctival epithelial ingrowth, vascularization and chronic inflammation. Ten control eyes then received a total keratectomy, and 13 experimental eyes received an additional amniotic membrane transplantation. Three-month follow-ups revealed that all control corneas were revascularized to the center with granuloma and retained a conjunctival phenotype. In contrast, in the experimental groups, 5 corneas became clear with either minimal or no vascularization; the rest had either mild peripheral (5) or total (3) vascularization and more cloudy stroma. Using monoclonal antibodies for epithelial markers and matrix components, we concluded that the success correlated with the return of a cornea-like epithelial phenotype and the preservation of the amniotic membrane, whereas the failure maintained a conjunctival epithelial phenotype and the amniotic membrane was either partially degraded or covered by host fibrovascular stroma. Measures taken to facilitate the former might prove this procedure clinically useful for ocular surface reconstruction.