Combined non-steroidal therapy in experimental corneal injury.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal therapy combined with free-radical scavengers were studied and compared to corticosteroid use in the treatment of experimental corneal injury.


METHODS
Eighty New Zealand albino rabbits were used in this study. A corneal alkali burn was induced by applying 1-N NaOH filter paper on the central axis of the right cornea for 30 s. Animals were distributed into five treatment groups: group 1 (control group) was only given gentamicin; group 2 was treated with 0.5% dimethylthiourea (DMU); group 3 received 1% dexamethasone; group 4 was given combined 0.5% DMU and 1% indomethacin; group 5 was treated with 0.5% DMU and 0.1% diclofenac sodium. One 50-microliter drop of gentamicin was instilled every 12 h, whereas the other drugs were instilled every 6 h (50 microliters). All groups received the same antibiotic treatment as the control group. The animals were killed on the 5th day. Inflammatory index, area and perimeter of the wounded corneal zone, and corneal transparency were evaluated.


RESULTS
No significant differences in the inflammatory index were found between the treatment groups and the control group after 72 h. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed at 24 h in groups 3-5 when compared with the control group. Planimetry showed significant differences in group 4 when compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). Corneal transparency study showed statistically significantly better values in groups 4 and 5, when compared with the other groups, including group 3 (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of 0.5% DMU combined with 1% indomethacin can be considered an alternative to corticosteroid treatment in our experimental chemical corneal injury.
Laria
C
C
Ophthalmology Department, University of Alicante, Spain.
Alió
J L
JL
Ruiz-Moreno
J M
JM
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011817:Rabbits; D013890:Thiourea / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac; D003907:Dexamethasone; C038983:1,3-dimethylthiourea; D013890:Thiourea; D007213:Indomethacin