Effect of epidermal growth factor in severe experimental alkali burns.
Ten rabbits with the right eye burnt by 1 N NaOH were treated 5 times daily with epidermal growth factor (EGF) eyedrops or placebo. The epithelium seemed to heal better under EGF treatment than with placebo. Also, ulceration and secondary calcification of the cornea were reduced in the EGF-treated group. The vascularisation was slightly diminished by EGF. The lactate dehydrogenase and N-acetylglucose aminidase activities and the lactate and glucose levels in the corneae were not different between the EGF and the placebo groups. The results showed that there was a beneficial effect of EGF in these experiments with most severe eye burn disease. But the improved regeneration of the epithelium seemed to be counteracted and partly abolished by the severe inflammatory reaction in these eyes.
Reim
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Rheinisch-Westfålische Technische Hochschule, (RWTH) Aachen, FRG.
Busse
S
S
Leber
M
M
Schulz
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide
D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor