title: Effects of topical hyaluronic acid on corneal wound healing in dogs: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of topical 0.2% hyaluronic acid in canine corneal ulcers in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six purpose-bred beagles were randomly assigned into two groups (three dogs/group): group A received experimental product (Optimend™, containing 0.2% hyaluronic acid, KineticVet™); group B received control product (Optimend™without 0.2% hyaluronic acid and supplemented with carboxymethylcellulose). The clinical scorer was masked to product content and subject assignment. Under sedation and topical anesthesia, 6-mm axial corneal epithelial debridements were performed in the left eye. Wounded corneas received standard ulcer treatment and topical product (group A) or control product (group B) three times a day (TID) until ulcers were healed. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy was performed 6 h after wounding and then every 12 h; findings were graded according to modified McDonald-Shadduck scoring system; extraocular photography was performed after fluorescein stain application at all examination time points. Images were analyzed using NIH image j software to quantify rate of corneal epithelialization. Gelatin zymography was used to analyze matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and 9 protein expression in tears collected at set time points during the study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistical differences in clinical ophthalmic examination scores, rate of corneal epithelialization, or MMP2 or MMP9 protein expression were found between groups at any tested time point.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of 0.2% hyaluronic acid to standard ulcer medical management is well tolerated. Topical addition of the viscoelastic did not accelerate corneal wound healing compared to a topical control with similar viscosity in this study.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, 900 East Campus Drive, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Kristina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gronkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, 900 East Campus Drive, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Giuliano
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, 900 East Campus Drive, MO 65211, USA.|Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, 900 East Campus Drive, MO 65211, USA.|Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.|Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Rajiv R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Mohan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: artificial tears; canine; carboxymethylcellulose; cornea; hyaluronic acid; matrix metalloproteinase