[Study of two immunosuppresive strategies after limbal allograft transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
Comparison of two immunosuppressive strategies after limbal allograft transplantation in an experimental model of ocular surface chemical burn.


METHODS
Twenty albino rabbits underwent corneal and limbal chemical burn with NaOH. One week later limbal transplantation was performed. Clinical assessments included measurements of epithelial defect, stromal opacity and neovascularization areas, using a computerized planimetry system 0, 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after the chemical burn. Histologic examination was performed at 3 months, after sacrifice of the animals. Two immunosuppressive strategies were evaluated: topical cyclosporin A on constant dosage (group 1), and a combination of topical cyclosporin A and dexamethasone followed by a tapered dosage of topical cyclosporin A (group 2).


RESULTS
No statistical differences were observed between both groups regarding all of the variables 3 months after the chemical burn. Differences in the stromal opacity area were detected on day 7 (43.33 D.E. 4.84 vs 36.67 D.E. 3.88; p<0.01), day 15 (41.68 3 D.E.95 vs 33.6 D.E. 1.99; p<0.01), and day 30 (40.1 D.E. 5.45 vs 32.52 D.E. 7.33; p<0.05). As for the neovascularization area, differences were detected on day 7 (1.92 D.E. 0.48 vs 3.73 D.E. 1.18; p<0.01), day 15 (7.08 D.E. 1.54 vs 4.42 D.E. 1.68; p<0.01), and day 60 (4.9 D.E. 2.58 vs 9.65 D.E. 5.55; p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There are no long-term differences between both immunosuppressive strategies regarding all the studied variables (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2003; 78: 29-34).
Rodríguez-Agirretxe
I
I
Hospital Donostia, Osakidetza-Servicio Vasco de Salud, San Sebastián, España. irodrig@euskalnet.net
Mendicute
J
J
Aldazábal
P
P
García-Urquía
N
N
Durán De La Colina
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000637:transplantation*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D016572:Cyclosporine