1. Transplantation of amniotic membrane in corneal ulcers and persistant epithelial defects.
- Author
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Grzetić-Lenac R, Merlak M, Balog T, Babić MB, and Dekaris I
- Subjects
- Amnion immunology, Amnion metabolism, Corneal Ulcer immunology, Humans, Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein immunology, Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein metabolism, Keratitis immunology, Prospective Studies, Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor immunology, Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor metabolism, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha immunology, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha metabolism, Amnion transplantation, Corneal Ulcer surgery, Graft Survival immunology, Keratitis surgery
- Abstract
Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) leads to reduction of inflammatory symptoms and causes faster epithelisation in corneal ulcers and persistant epithelial defect. 21 patients with corneal ulcer (n = 18) or non-healing epithelial defect (n = 3) unresponsive to conventional treatment were included in the study. All patients were treated by AMT. Corneal epithelial cells in patients suffering from corneal ulcer secreted 3.51 +/- 1.79 of IL-1alpha, 64.27 +/- 31.53 pg/mL of TNFalpha and 209.07 +/- 201.82 pg/mL of VEGF. Levels of all 3 investigated cytokines were significantly higher as compared to controls (p < 0.005). Amniotic membranes that were used contained 775.69 +/- 613.98 pg/mL of IL-1alpha, 0.036 +/- 0.033 pg/mL of sTNF and 175.01 +/- 166.63 pg/mL of VEGF-R. Supporting effect of the AMT could be explained by the fact that AM secretes its natural antinflammatory antagonists IL-1ra, sTNF and VEGF-R.
- Published
- 2011