Evaluation of the early term healing effects of resveratrol on corneal wounds in rats

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of resveratrol (RES) treatment on corneal wound healing. Randomly divided into 2 groups were 26-week-old male Wistar albino rats. Group 1 was the control group (C) and group 2 was the RES group. A 2–3-mm-long vertical incision was made centrally in the right cornea of each rat to the descemet membrane using loupe magnification (2.5X) and the wounds were sutured using 10/0 nylon material. In the RES group, the rats were fed 30 mg/kg/day RES via oral gavage; the C and RES groups were provided food and water ad libitum for only 11 days. The matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and antioxidant status (AOS) were measured. On day 11, the rats were euthanized and examined histologically. The score of 3 for connective tissue proliferation, in both the C and RES groups, indicated rates of 11.1% and 0.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). The score of 3 for inflammatory cell reaction, in both the C and RES groups, indicated rates of 11.1% and 0.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). The MDA results were as follows: days 0 and 11, 1.61 ± 0.316 and 2.854 ± 0.572 for the C and RES groups, respectively. The increase in group C was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The MMP-9 level was 1.115 ± 0.197 and 2.842 ± 0.368, respectively, in the 2 groups. The increase in the RES group was statistically significant (P < 0.01). According to the AOS, the intergroup difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). As a result, RES inhibited vascularization of the corneal wound and retained the transparency of the corneal tissue. It is therefore suggested that extended studies and follow-up times are needed to better evaluate the outcomes of RES on the healing corneal wounds.

Application of a Novel Film Sealant Technology for Penetrating Corneal Wounds: An Ex-Vivo Study

Aim: To compare the burst pressures of corneal wounds closed with a laser-activated, chitosan-based thin film adhesive against self-seal, sutures and cyanoacrylate. Methods: 2, 4 or 6 mm penetrating corneal wounds were created on 100 freshly enucleated bovine eyes. The wounds were closed using a laser-activated chitosan adhesive (n = 30), self-sealed (control) (n = 30), sutures (n = 20) or cyanoacrylate glue (Histoacryl®) (n = 20). The corneoscleral rim was dissected and mounted onto a custom burst pressure testing chamber. Water was pumped into the chamber at 9ml/hr. The fluid pressure prior to wound leakage was recorded as the ‘burst pressure’. Results: The burst pressure for the 2, 4 and 6 mm wounds were 239.2 mmHg (SD = ±102.4), 181.7 mmHg (SD = ±72.8) and 77.4 mmHg (SD = ±37.4) (p < 0.00001), respectively, for chitosan adhesive. Burst pressure was 36.4 mmHg (SD = ±14.7), 4.8 mmHg (SD = ±4.9) and 2.7 mmHg (SD = ±1.3) (p < 0.00001), respectively, for the self-sealed group. For 4 and 6mm wounds, burst pressures with sutures were 33.0 mmHg (SD = ±19) and 23.5 mmHg (SD = ±17.4) (p = 0.0087), respectively. For cyanoacrylate, burst pressures for 2 and 4 mm wounds were 698 mmHg (SD = ±240.3) and 494.3 mmHg (SD = ±324.6) (p = 0.020087), respectively. Conclusion: This laser-activated chitosan-based adhesive sealed bovine corneal wounds up to 6 mm in length. Burst pressure was higher for the adhesive than sutured or self-sealed wounds, but lower than for cyanoacrylate.