title: Effects of new biomimetic regenerating agents on corneal wound healing in an experimental model of post-surgical corneal ulcers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the topical application of cacicol regenerating agent (RGTA) in an experimental model of corneal ulcer after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were subjected to PRK surgery with a 2.0mm ablation zone on the central cornea and 45mm of depth on a VISX Star S2 excimer laser. Corneas were treated topically with cacicol drops 1hour and 48hours after injury. Control groups received balanced salt solution (BSS) in the same dosage. Clinical and histopathological events were evaluated at 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after surgery. Sections obtained through the central region of the corneas were used to analyze the histopathological events of injured and healed corneas. αSMA (myofibroblast transformation), E cadherin (assembly of epithelial cells) and neuronal class III β-tubulin (innervation) were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corneas treated topically with cacicol for 7 days showed a greater degree of transparency compared to controls. cacicol treated corneas showed improved epithelial cytoarchitecture. Analysis of αSMA profiles in the stroma showed that cacicol reduced or delayed the presence of myofibroblasts in the stroma compared to BSS (P<0.001). Finally, a putative neuroregenerative effect of cacicol was found in corneas subjected to an experimental PRK lesion. In some cases some interindividual variability could be observed due to the design of the experimental model. This is a limitation to consider, despite the statistical significance of the data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a model of laser induced surgical lesions in the cornea, topical application of an RGTA (i.e. cacicol) could be involved in avoiding myofibroblast scarring formation and promoting nerve regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Fundación de Investigación Oftalmológica, Oviedo, España; Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, España. Electronic address: nacho.alcalde@fio.as.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alcalde
authors.affiliation: Fundación de Investigación Oftalmológica, Oviedo, España; Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Íñigo-Portugués
authors.affiliation: Instituto Oftalmológico Fernández-Vega, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carreño
authors.affiliation: Instituto Oftalmológico Fernández-Vega, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Riestra
authors.affiliation: Fundación de Investigación Oftalmológica, Oviedo, España; Instituto Oftalmológico Fernández-Vega, Oviedo, España; Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Merayo-Lloves
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D065306:Corneal Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000502:physiology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C533322:OTR4120; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions
keywords: Cicatrización; Extracellular matrix; Gotas oftalmológicas RGTA; Matriz extracelular; RGTA ophthalmic drops; Regeneración; Regeneration; Transparencia; Transparency; Wound healing