An experimental study on the fate of the amniotic membrane after amniotic membrane transplantation for acute alkaline burn of rat cornea

Abstract

Use three different methods of amniotic membrane transplantation for acute alkaline burn of rat cornea, to investigate the difference on operation time, reabsorption time of amniotic membrane, integration patterns of amniotic membrane into the cornea among the three amniotic membrane transplantation methods. SD rats were randomly assigned into five groups. Group A: simply alkaline burn of cornea; Group B: inlay method; Group C: overlay method; Group D: sutureless method; Group E: normal. Prepared the model of corneal alkaline burn of the right eyes of group A-D rats, performed three different methods of amniotic membrane transplantation on Group B-D rats respectively within 24 hours after alkaline burn. The operation time was recorded. Observed the eyes with slit-lamp microscopy after transplantation, recorded the reabsorption time of amniotic membrane. HE staining and immunohistochemical staining against human collagen IV were performed for pathological study. The results were analysed with Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. The integration patterns of amniotic membrane into the cornea after amniotic membrane reabsorbed were observed. (1) Operation time: Group B was (35.500 ± 2.878) minutes; Group C was (33.375 ± 2.973) minutes; Group D was (9.875 ± 1.246) minutes. There was statistical significance between group B and group D (P < 0.001), group C and group D (P < 0.001). There was no statistical significance between group B and group C (P = 0.102). (2) Reabsorption time of amniotic membrane: Group B was (16.625 ± 3.662) days; Group C was (9.250 ± 2.188) days; Group D was (12.833 ± 2.483) days. There was statistical significance among group B, C, D (P < 0.001). (3) There was significant inflammatory reaction around the suture in Group B and Group C, and there was inconspicuous inflammatory reaction in Group D. (4) There were three integration patterns of amniotic membrane into the cornea after amniotic membrane reabsorption: superficial localization, intraepithelial and intrastromal. We could find one or more integration patterns in same method of amniotic membrane transplantation, there was no statistical significance among group B, C, D (P = 0.86). Amniotic membrane can integrate into the cornea after amniotic membrane reabsorption. Sutureless amniotic membrane transplantation which has short operation time and inconspicuous inflammatory reaction is better than traditional amniotic membrane transplantation, and it will be used extensively in the ophthalmology field in future.