Professional paper

Transplantation of Amniotic Membrane in Corneal Ulcers and Persistant Epithelial Defects

Renata Gržetić-Lenac
Maja Merlak
Tihomir Balog
Marijana Bilen Babić
Iva Dekaris

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-1a, 64.27±31.53 pg/mL of TNFa
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-1ra, 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.

Keywords

amniotic membrane transplantation; corneal ulcer; persistent epithelial defects; cytokines

Hrčak ID:

72258

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/72258

Publication date:

25.9.2011.

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