The effects of recombinant human epithelial growth factor and protein-free calf blood extract for recovery of corneal mechanical epithelial defects healing and neovascularization

W. Wu, L.N. Zeng, Y.Y. Peng, X.H. Lu, C.Y. Li, Z.C. Wang

Department of Ophthalmology, ZhuJiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China. wuwei200414952@126.com

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• Ophthalmology

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) and protein-free calf blood extract on corneal wound healing and neovascularization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An rabbit central corneal wound and neovascularization model was established in rabbits. One eye of each group was chosen randomly for topical administration of protein-free calf blood extract, rhEGF, or NS (physiological saline), and variability in the area of corneal epithelial wound healing and neovascularization was observed.

RESULTS: On days 1 and 2, the healing rate of corneal epithelium was various among the protein-free calf blood extract group, rhEGF group and NS group (F = 6.475, p = 0.012). The healing rate of corneal epithelium in the rhEGF group was better than the protein-free calf blood extract group (p = 0.004) and NS group (p = 0.041) on day 1. The corneal neovascularization area in the protein-free calf blood extract group was less than that of rhEGF group (p = 0.04) and NS group (p = 0.008) on day 18.

CONCLUSIONS: rhEGF had better promotive effect on corneal epithelial wound healing than the protein-free calf blood extract in the advanced phase (within 2 days). Both rhEGF and protein-free calf blood extract were not found to promote

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