The curative effect of injecting human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into corneal stroma for lamellar corneal laceration

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of injecting the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into corneal stroma after lamellar corneal laceration. Methods Twenty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were selected and the left eyes were taken for experimental eyes. The corneal tunnel knife was used to make horizontal tunnel incision at 12 and 6 o'clock respectively 2 mm away from corneal limbus but didn't penetrate the cornea. And at 12 o'clock the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were injected into corneal stroma and at 6 o'clock the saline solution was injected. The corneal incision scar and the corresponding degree of corneal opacity were observed at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days respectively after the treatment. Results At 1, 3 and 7 days after the treatment, there were not statistically significant differences between the two groups, but at 14, 21 and 28 days at 6 o'clock the corneal opacity were more obvious than that at 12 o'clock between the two groups and the P values were 0.001, 0.002 and 0.011 (P<0.05). At 21 days after the treatment, the scar was the most obvious at 6 o'clock. Conclusion Injection of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into corneal stroma after corneal laceration can reduce the scar formation. Key words: Cornea; Lamellar corneal laceration; Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells; Corneal stroma injection; Scar