Transplantation of amniotic membrane in corneal ulcers and persistant epithelial defects.
Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) leads to reduction of inflammatory symptoms and causes faster epithelisation in corneal ulcers and persistant epithelial defect. 21 patients with corneal ulcer (n = 18) or non-healing epithelial defect (n = 3) unresponsive to conventional treatment were included in the study. All patients were treated by AMT. Corneal epithelial cells in patients suffering from corneal ulcer secreted 3.51 +/- 1.79 of IL-1alpha, 64.27 +/- 31.53 pg/mL of TNFalpha and 209.07 +/- 201.82 pg/mL of VEGF. Levels of all 3 investigated cytokines were significantly higher as compared to controls (p < 0.005). Amniotic membranes that were used contained 775.69 +/- 613.98 pg/mL of IL-1alpha, 0.036 +/- 0.033 pg/mL of sTNF and 175.01 +/- 166.63 pg/mL of VEGF-R. Supporting effect of the AMT could be explained by the fact that AM secretes its natural antinflammatory antagonists IL-1ra, sTNF and VEGF-R.
Department of Ophtalmology, Rijeka University Hospital Center, Rijeka, Croatia. renata.grzetic-lenac@ri.t-com.hr
Renata
R
Grzetić-Lenac
Maja
M
Merlak
Tihomir
T
Balog
Marijana Bilen
MB
Babić
Iva
I
Dekaris
D000650:Amnion / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007634:Keratitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor