The Effect of Steroid on the Viability of the Endothelial Cell of Stored Cornea

ABSTRACT

Autolysis, which is brought about by the release of lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes, has been prevented in cornea with the use of lysosomal membrane stabilizers, such as corticosteroid. So, we performed this study to see whether corticosteroid could reduce endothelial damage in stored corneas, or not. The experiment was performed on 15 albino rabbits which were killed by intravenous air injection. 40 microgram of hydrocortisone sodium succinate was injected into the anterior chamber of the enucleated eye. The whole eye ball was stored in the moist chamber at 4 degrees C for 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours, then the cornea was removed and stained with trypan blue. Unstained endothelial cells were counted with light microscope to determine the density of viable endothelial cells. Same procedures were done on the contralateral eye with injecting normal saline into the anterior chamber instead of hydrocortisone as a control. The density of viable endothelial cells in the steroid group was higher than that in the control group by 1.75%, 14.39%, and 27.40% in 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours storage, respectively.