The Effects of Amniotic Membrane Ointment on Corneal Alkali Burn in Rabbits

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The therapeutic effects of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) contain anti-fibrosis, anti-inflammation and facilitation of epithelialization. Thus we investigated whether applying of amniotic membrane (AM) ointment could get the same effect as AMT. METHODS: Alkali burn was induced by applying 6 mm round filter paper which was soaked with 1 N NaOH, onto the central cornea for 60 seconds on both eyes of 10 white rabbits. Then we applied AM ointment on one eye and base ointment on the other eye, four times a day for 1 week. The corneas were harvested for histopathologic studies at 1 day and 3 weeks. Corneal opacity and thickness were measured in 3 days and 1, 2, 3 weeks. RESULTS: In the AM ointment applicated group, the number of the infiltrated PMNs (polymorphonuclear cells) and apoptotic keratocytes were significantly less than that of the control group (p< 0.05). The degree of lipid peroxidation and myofibroblast differentiation were less than those of the control group. Corneal opacity and corneal edema were less in AM ointment group than control group. CONCLUSIONS: AM ointment application after alkali burn is beneficial to reduce inflammation, keratocyte apoptosis and lipid peroxidation, and is considered to suppress corneal haze by these effects. Therefore, this report may be a basic study for the AM ointment research to treat recalcitrant keratitis.