A histological and immunohistochemical study of the effect of platelet- rich plasma on a corneal alkali burn in adult male albino rat

Abstract

Background: Ocular chemical injuries are an emergency that needs immediate and intensive evaluation and treatment. Platelet- rich plasma (PRP) has become a common treatment in the field of ophthalmological surgery.Aim of the study: to evaluate and compare the alleviating effect of a single dose of PRP injection applied either after 2 hours or 48 hours on an alkali-induced corneal burn.Materials & Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were equally divided into 5 groups; Control, PRP group, alkali-burn group, alkali-burn+ PRP-treated after 2hours group and alkali-burn+ PRP-treated after 48hours group. Corneal specimens were processed for different histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Results: Alkali burnt cornea revealed focal discontinuity and denudation of corneal epithelium alternating with focal disorganization and stratification. Bowman’s membrane appeared irregular with focal disruption. The Descemet’s membrane appeared thinned out and disrupted. Mononuclear cellular infiltration and invasion with small blood vessels were observed. Upon intervention with PRP after 2hours of alkali-burn, a near normal corneal histological structure was observed. Yet upon intervention with PRP after 48hours of alkali-burn, a disturbed corneal histological structure with vacuolated epithelium and some nuclear changes were detected. A highly significant difference in the immunohistochemical staining for detection of P53, Ki67, MMP-1 and MMP-9 was detected upon alkali burn compared to the control, whereas a non-significant difference was observed in group IV compared to the control group, yet a significant difference was detected between group V and the control group. Conclusion: A single dose PRP injection had an effective alleviating effect on alkali-induced corneal burn, yet the PRP injection after 2hours of the burn was more efficient in restoring the corneal healthy surface rather than its application after 48 hours.