2212 Increased leukocyte elastase and gelatinase B levels in alkaline burn of rabbit's cornea: Their possible control by heparin

Purpose ; Effects of topically applied 0.1% dernmethrsone on epithelirl and endothelial healing following alkali wound were examined. Mehtods ; 30 New Zealand white rabbits were divided in 3 groups. By using a 5.5 mm round filter paper, alkali wounds ( 1N NaOH, 60s ) were produced in one eye of each animal. Group A treated with 0.1% dexamethasone, 3 x/day for 3 weeks. Group B received 0.1% dexamethume, 3 x/day for the first week and then followed for 2 weeks without treatment. Group C served as control. Epithelial healing was determined by defect area measurement after fluorescein staining. Endothelial healing was measured at 1 and 3 weeks by morphometric determination following Alizarine red/trypane blue staining. Results ; Initial epithelial healing was retarded in dexamethasone treated group ( 0.57 f 0.06 mm’lh vs. 0.78 f 0.11 mm’/b, p-zU.01). However, group B showed better mtintanence of the resurfaced epithelium than group A or group C during the late healing. The endothelial defect area at 1 week was 14.1 f 1.31 mm’in treated eyes and completely resurfaced endotheiium was observed in group C. At 3 weeks, the endothelial defmt areas in group A and group C were 7.2 f 4.7 mm’ and 10.8 + 2.2 mm’, respectively. No endothelial defect was observed in group B. Conclusion ; Although the topical application of 0.1 % duamethnsone for the initial 1 week administration retarded the initial epithelial healing, it can delay the oecurance of the secondary endothelial breakdown process in comeal alkali wound healing.