[The expression of TGF-beta1 and bFGF after LASEK and the effects of 20% ethanol exposure on corneal wound healing].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of 20% ethanol used in LASEK on corneal wound healing.


METHODS
Forty-eight eyes from 24 rabbits were deepithelialized by two techniques. The epithelium were detached with either 20% ethanol (applied for 30 seconds) or mechanical scraping, then ablated was performed. The number of superficial stromal keratocytes was counted and the morphologic changes were observed. Expression of TGF-beta1 and bFGF mRNAs was detected and analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemical methods at 1, 7, 30 and 90 days after the surgery.


RESULTS
One day after the surgery, the expression of TGF-beta1 and bFGF in the keratocytes in both treated groups was lower than that of the normal controls. Seven days after the surgery, the expression of TGF-beta1 and bFGF in both treated groups was greater than that of the normal controls (P < 0.01). The expression in the alcohol-treated group was greater than that of the surgical-treated group (P < 0.01). The expression of TGF-beta1 and bFGF reached the peak 30 days after the surgery, no significant difference was detected between the alcohol-treated and surgical-treated groups. There was no significant difference in expression level between the alcohol-treated and surgical-treated groups 3 months after the surgery; as well as between treated groups and normal group. The amount of TGF-beta1 and bFGF mRNA was positively correlated with the number of keratocytes. The correlation coefficient between TGF-beta1 and bFGF mRNA and the number of the keratocytes was 0.744 (P < 0.01) and 0.738 (P < 0.01) in the alcohol-treated group; and was 0.664 (P < 0.01) and 0.785 (P < 0.01) in the surgical-treated group, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of TGF-beta1 and bFGF mRNA undergo a dynamic process of "decrease-increase-normal". Although ethanol has a slight toxic effect on rabbit epithelial cells, but the effects do not persist over time, therefore, it is relatively safe to use the alcohol treatment in the LASEK.
Wang
Yan
Y
Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300020, China. wangyan7143@vip.sina.com.cn
Zhao
Kan-xing
KX
Su
Lei-yan
LY
Wang
Le-jin
LJ
Geng
Wei-li
WL
Jin
Ying
Y
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D000431:Ethanol