title: Advances in treatment for neurotrophic keratopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the clinical characteristics and possible new mode of treatments for the corneal epithelial disorders associated with neurotrophic keratopathy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The successful clinical applications of eyedrops containing substance P and insulin-like growth factor-1, or peptides derived therefrom, were reported for the treatment of humans with neurotrophic keratopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurotrophic keratopathy, a degenerative disease of the cornea, is caused by an impairment of function of the trigeminal nerve and an insufficient supply of neural factors. The combination of substance P, a sensory neurotransmitter, and insulin-like growth factor-1 induced a synergistic stimulatory effect on corneal epithelial migration as well as on corneal wound closure in vivo. We discuss the roles of growth factors and substance P, a sensory neurotransmitter released from the trigeminal nerve, in corneal epithelial wound healing as well as the clinical application of these molecules to the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan. tnishida@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Teruo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Ryoji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yanai
mesh_terms: D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013373:Substance P / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013373:Substance P; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I