Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparative evaluation in the use of topical corticosteroid in the management of corneal alkali burn ulcers in rabbits

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Comparative Clinical Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the addition of steroidal or non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory agents or topical medroxyprogesterone acetate to tetracycline and vitamin C in the management of ocular alkali burns. Alkali wounds were created on the central corneas of rabbits by applying a round filter paper, 12 mm in diameter, soaked in 1 M NaOH for 30 s. Only one eye in each rabbit was treated. A total of 25 rabbits were divided into five groups with five animals each. Five rabbits without treatment after the alkali burn were designated as the control group. In the remaining four groups, topical tetracycline and systemic vitamin C treatment were included. In group A, 1% topical medroxyprogesterone acetate, in group B, 1% topical prednisolone acetate and in group C, topical diclofenac were used. In group D, corneal ulcers were treated with only tetracycline and vitamin C. Clinical outcome was monitored daily by corneal opacity, duration of blepharospasm, corneal vascularization, and duration of ocular discharge. After 3 weeks, corneas were excised for histopathological analysis. Samples were monitored by evaluating corneal thickness (μm), numbers of epithelial rows, keratocyte density, stromal vascularization, stromal inflammation, and stromal collagen arrangement. Comparison between groups showed that groups A, B, and C had significantly lower discharge days, and groups B and C had significantly shorter duration of blepharospasm than the control group. In the microscopic evaluation of the corneas, groups B and C had a significantly lower degree of corneal vascularization, and group B had significantly lower degree of corneal inflammation than the control group. In conclusion, the topical application of 1% prednisolone combined with vitamin C and tetracycline may be therapeutically valuable in the early treatment (first 3 weeks) of corneal alkali burns.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbaszadeh M, Aldavood SJ, Foroutan AR, Azizzadeh M, Selk Ghaffari M (2009) Effects of sutureless amniotic membrane patching with 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) on experimental corneal alkali burn in dogs. Comp Clin Pathol. doi:10.1007/s00580-009-0877-9

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson RE, Kuns MD, Dresden MH (1971) Collagenase activity in the alkali-burned cornea. Ann Ophthalmol 3:619–621

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Awan MA, Agarwal PK, Watson DG, McGhee NJ, Dutton GN (2009) Penetration of topical and subconjunctival corticosteroids into human aqueous humour and its therapeutic significance. Br J Ophthalmol 93:708–713

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berman M (1978) Regulation of collagenase. Therapeutic considerations. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 98:397–405

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown SI, Weller CA (1970) The pathogenesis and treatment of collagenase-induced diseases of the cornea. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 74:375–383

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown SI, Weller CA, Akiya S (1969) Prevention of the ulcers of the alkali-burned cornea. Arch Ophthalmol 82:95–97

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byon DS, Kim JC, Shyn KH (1995) The effect of synthetic inhibitor of metalloproteinase on corneal alkali burn in rabbit. Chung Ang J Med 20:237–252

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cejkova J, Lojda Z, Obenberger J, Havrankova E (1975) Alkali burns of the rabbit cornea. I. A histochemical study of glucuronidase, b-galatosidase, N-acetyl-b-glucosamnidase. Histochemistry 45:65–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chung JH, Kang YG, Kim HJ (1998) Effect of 0.1% dexamethasone on epithelial healing in experimental corneal alkali wounds: morphological changes during the repair process. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 236(7):537–545

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colin J (2007) The role of NSAIDs in the management of postoperative ophthalmic inflammation. Drugs 67(9):1291–1308

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis A, Ali Q, Aclimandos W, Hunter P (1997) Topical steroid use in the treatment of ocular alkali burns. Br J Ophthalmol 81:732–734

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donshik P, Berman M, Dohlman C, Gage J, Rose J (1978) Effect of topical steroids on ulceration in alkali burned corneas. Arch Ophthalmol 96:2117–2020

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flueckiger F, Kodjikian L, Halberstadt M, Boehnke M, Garweg JG (2005) An ex-vivo, whole globe porcine model of corneoepithelial wound healing tested using immunomodulatory drugs. J Ocular Phamacol Ther 21:367–375

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giuliano EA (2004) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in veterinary ophthalmology. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 34(3):707–723

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Y, Meek KM, Ho MW, Paterson CA (2001) Anaylsis of birefringence during wound healing and remodeling following alkali burns in rabbit cornea. 1. Exp Eye Res 73(4):521–532

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katzung BG (1984) Prostaglandins and other eicosonoids. In: Katzung BG (ed) Clinical pharmacology. Lange, California, pp 217–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozak TA, Sevcikova Z, Juhas T (2002) Superficial keratectomy, limbal Autotransplantation and amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of severe chemical burns of the eye. Acta Vet Brno 71:85–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lass J, Campbell R, Rose J, Foster S, Dohlman C (1981) Medroxyprogesterone on corneal ulceration its effects after Alkali burns on rabbits. Arch Ophthalmol 99(4):673–676

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCulley JP (1994) In: Smolin G, Thoft RA (eds) Chemical agents. In The Cornea., pp 617–633

  • Meller D, Pires RT, Mack RJ (2000) Amniotic membrane transplantation for acute chemical or thermal burns. Ophthalmology 107:980–989

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Newsome NA, Gross J (1977) Prevention by medroxyprogesterone of perforation in the alkali-burned rabbit cornea: inhibition of collagenolytic activity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 16(1):21–31

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pahlitzsch T, Sinha P (1985) The alkali burned cornea: electron microscopic, enzyme histochemical and biochemical observations. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 223:278–286

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perry HD (1990) Systemic tetracyclines in the treatment of noninfected: a case report and proposed new mechanism of action. Corneal Ulcer, Ann Ophthalmol 17:742–744

    Google Scholar 

  • Petroutsos G, Pouliquen Y (1984) Effect of ascorbic acid on ulceration in alkali-burned corneas. Ophthalmic Res 16(4):185–189

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfister RP, Paterson CA (1980) Ascorbic acid in the treatment of alkali burns of the eye. Ophthalmology 87(10):1050–1057

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips K, Arffa R (1983) Effect of prednisolone and medraxyprogestron on corneal wound healing, ulceration, and neovascularization. Arch Ophthalmol 101:640–643

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ralph LA (2000) Tetracyclines and the treatment of corneal stromal ulceration: a review. Cornea 19(3):274–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saika S, Uenoyama K, Hiroi K, Tanioka H, Takase K, Hikita M (1993) Ascorbic acid phosphate ester and wound healing in rabbit corneal alkali burns: epithelial basement membrane and stroma. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 231:221–227

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarchahi A, Maimandi A, Khodakaram Tafti A, Amani M (2008) Effects of acetylcysteine and dexamethasone on experimental corneal wounds in rabbits. Ophthalmic Res 40:41–48

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slansky HH, Gnadinger MC, Itoi M, Dohlman CH (1969) Collagenase in corneal ulcerations. Arch Ophthalmol 82:108–111

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart JC, Turgeon P, Kowalski RP (1989) Use of aprotinin in the treatment of pseudomonas corneal ulceration. Trans Pa Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 41:823–826

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang MX, Gray TB, Park WC (2001) Reduction in corneal haze and apoptosis by amniotic membrane matrix in excimer laser photoablation in rabbits. J Cataract Refract Surg 27:310–319

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waterbury L, Kunysz EA, Beuerman R (1987) Effects of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents on corneal wound healing. J Ocul Pharmacol 3(1):43–54

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watte M, Elks R, Moore D, McLellan G (2004) Clinical experience with butyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive in the management of canine and feline corneal disease. Vet Ophthalmol 7(5):319–326

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wentworth JS, Paterson CA, Gray RD (1992) Effect of a metalloproteinase inhibitor on established corneal ulcers after an alkali burn. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33:2174–2179

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woo HM, Kim MS, Kweon OK (2001) Effects of amniotic membrane on epithelial wound healing and stromal remodelling after excimer laser keratectomy in rabbit cornea. Br J Ophthalmol 85:345–349

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Mehdi Saberi & Seyed Javid Aldavood

  2. Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran

    Mohammad Abbaszadeh Hasiri

  3. Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

    Mojgan Rezaei Kanavi

  4. Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran

    Mohammad Azizzadeh

  5. Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universty of Esfahan, Esfahan, Iran

    Ali Reza Ashtari

Authors
  1. Mehdi Saberi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Seyed Javid Aldavood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammad Abbaszadeh Hasiri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mojgan Rezaei Kanavi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mohammad Azizzadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ali Reza Ashtari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Seyed Javid Aldavood.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saberi, M., Aldavood, S.J., Abbaszadeh Hasiri, M. et al. Comparative evaluation in the use of topical corticosteroid in the management of corneal alkali burn ulcers in rabbits. Comp Clin Pathol 21, 597–603 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-010-1140-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-010-1140-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation