Effect of topically applied 0.1% dexamethasone on endothelial healing and aqueous composition during the repair process of rabbit corneal alkali wounds.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The effects of topical dexamethasone on the endothelial healing and the change of aqueous compositions were investigated during the repair process of alkali-wounded rabbit cornea.

METHODS:

A central corneal alkali wound was produced by a 60 sec application of a 5.5 mm round filter paper soaked in 1N NaOH onto one eye of each rabbit. The eyes subsequently were treated topically with either 0.1% dexamethasone or a balanced salt solution (BSS) 4 times per day for 8 weeks. Endothelial wound morphometry was performed after alizarin red and trypan blue staining. The concentrations of ascorbic acid, glucose, and the ions, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, were measured in the aqueous humor.

RESULTS:

Endothelial healing in control (alkali-wounded but not treated with dexamethasone) corneas showed a biphasic pattern of healing: an initial short-term healing for the first week and then a late long-term healing following the secondary endothelial breakdown. Topical administration of 0.1% dexamethasone deterred endothelial healing during the early period and prevented the secondary endothelial breakdown. However, the total repair process of endothelium was accelerated by the dexamethasone-treatment. Among the various components of the aqueous humor examined, ascorbic acid seemed the most sensitive to change caused by the alkali injury and dexamethasone treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present data indicate that dexamethasone may have a therapeutic potential in the management of endothelial healing after corneal alkali injury.

• Authors: J H Chung, S M Paek, J J Choi, Y K Park, J S Lee, W K Kim
• Journal: Current eye research (Curr Eye Res) Vol. 18 Issue 2 Pg. 110-6 (Feb 1999) ISSN: 0271-3683 [Print] England
• PMID: 10223654 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cations
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Dexamethasone
• Glucose
• Ascorbic Acid

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Animals
• Aqueous Humor (metabolism)
• Ascorbic Acid (metabolism)
• Burns, Chemical (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Cations (metabolism)
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Endothelium, Corneal (drug effects, injuries, pathology)
• Eye Burns (chemically induced)
• Glucose (metabolism)
• Ophthalmic Solutions (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Rabbits
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Wound Healing (drug effects)