title: Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on persistent corneal epithelial defect after infectious keratitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) harbors high concentrations of growth factors related to the promotion of wound healing. We evaluated the efficacy of PRP eyedrops in the treatment of persistent epithelial defects (PEDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Autologous PRP and autologous serum (AS) were prepared from whole blood. The concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β2, epidermal growth factor (EGF), vitamin A and fibronectin in the PRP and AS were analyzed and compared. The corneal epithelial healing efficacy of PRP was compared with that of AS in patients with PED induced by post-infectious inflammation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentrations of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, EGF, vitamin A and fibronectin in the PRP and AS were not statistically different. However, the concentrations of EGF in the PRP were significantly greater than in the AS. AS was used in 17 and PRP in 11 eyes of 28 patients. The healing rates of the corneal epithelia of the PRP-treated eyes were significantly higher than those treated with AS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PRP was effective in the treatment of PEDs. This may be attributable to its high concentration of platelet-contained growth factors, most notably EGF. PRP could be an effective, novel treatment option for chronic ocular surface disease.
authors.affiliation: Nune Eye Hospital, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong-Tae
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hong Kyun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000097:blood; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010976:Platelet Count; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D044967:Serum; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014801:Vitamin A; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor