The effect of topically instilled autolohous serum on the healing of endothelium and change of aqueous chemical properties following alkali wounds were evaluated. New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5KG, total 64(64 eyes), were used in this experiment. Standardized corneal alkali wounds were produced by applying a round filter paper of 5.5mm if diameter, soaked in 1N NaOH, to the central cornea for 60 seconds. Autologous serum in the treated group and balanced salt solution (BSS) in the control group were given 4 times per dat for 3 weeks. Endothelial defect areas and the concentrations of ascorbic acid, glucose and minerals in the aqueous humor were measured. Endothelial defect area was not significantly different between autologous serum-treated and control groups. The concentrations of ascorbic acid in the aqueous humor were aignificantly increased in the autologous serum-treated groups compared to the control groups. However, the concentrations of glucose, Na+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++ in the aqueous humor were not statistically different between two groups.
Alkalies* ; Aqueous Humor ; Ascorbic Acid ; Biochemistry* ; Cornea ; Endothelium ; Glucose ; Minerals ; Rabbits ; Wounds and Injuries*

The effect of topically applied autolohous serum was examined in experimental corneal alkali wounds. New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5kg, total 24(24 eyes), were used in this experiment. Initial epithelial wounds were induced by applying a 5.5mm round filter paper, soaked in 1N NaOH, put on the central cornea for 60 seconds. The animals were divided into two groups. One group received autologous serum topically four times per day for 3 weeks, and a second group was served as control, Light and electron microscopic examination were performed for the morphological evaluation of the repair process of alkali damaged cornea. The autologuous serum-treated group showed similar initial epithelial healing rate and cumulative epithelial defect size when compared with the control groups. In light and electron microscopic finding, three days after alkali wound, the control epithelium showed cuboidal-shaped cells with intraepithelial apoptosis-like structure. The autologous serum-treated group, showing elongated spindle shaped cells with multi-layer, revealed a severe disorganization. Three weeks after alkali wound, the control epithelium revealed a relatively well organized architecture and the junction between basement membrance and basal epithelium indicated loose adhesion, Highly disorganized epithelial cells and relatively tight adhesion between the basement membrane and basal epithelium were noticed in the autologous serum-treated group.
Alkalies* ; Animals ; Basement Membrane ; Cornea ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Rabbits ; Wounds and Injuries*