Original scientific paper
Therapeutic Effect of Amniotic Membrane in Persistent Epithelial Defects and Corneal Ulcers in Herpetic Keratitis
Natasa Brijačak
Iva Dekaris
Alenka Gagro
Nikica Gabrić
Abstract
Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) promotes rapid epithelialization and reduces stromal inflammation and
ulceration in HSV-1 keratitis. 18 patients with non-healing epithelial defect or corneal ulcer caused by herpetic keratitis
were included in the study. All patients were treated by AMT. Corneal epithelial cells in patients suffering from herpetic
keratitis secreted 5 ± 4.8 pg/ml of IL-1a and 0.16 ± 0.47 pg/ml of IL-1b (mean ± SD). IL-1a level was significantly higher
as compared to controls (p<0.005). Amniotic membranes that were used to treat investigated patients contained 339.87 ±
105 pg/ml of IL-1ra. In herpetic keratitis pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1a is secreted from corneal epithelial cells in significantly
higher level then in controls. Beneficial effect of the AMT in such patients could be explained by the fact that
AM secretes its natural antagonist IL-1ra.
Keywords
herpetic keratitis; amniotic membrane; interleukin-1; interleukin-1 receptor antagonist
Hrčak ID:
34534
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2008.
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