Effect of UV-B and Amniotic Membrane on Inflammation, Lipid Peroxidation and Keratocyte Apoptosis Induced by PRK

ABSTRACT

The authorsinvestigated the effects of UV-B and amniotic membrane graft about PRK induced inflammatory cell infiltration into corneal stroma, lipid peroxidation and keratocyte apoptosis. Total 20 white rabbits were divided into 5 groups; 1)mechanical epithelial removal, 2)epithelial removal and UV-B irradiation, 3)PRK only, 4) PRK and UV-B irradiation, 5)Amniotic membrane graft after PRK and UV-B irradiation. All corneas were harvested after 24hrs. H & E stain for PMNs infiltration, MDA immunohistochemical stain for lipid peroxidation and TUNEL stain for keratocyte apoptosis were performed. UV-B had little effect on infiltration of inflammatory cell into corneal stroma, lipid peroxidation and keratocyte apoptosis. Amniotic membrane suppressed infiltration of PMNs into corneal stroma, lipid peroxidation and keratocyte apoptosis. Environmental UV-B exposure should not be avoided after PRK. Amniotic membrane graft is beneficial to reduce keratocyte apoptosis and related corneal haze.