Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rh EGF) in corneal wound healing while also providing the effects of pain relief.
Methods
Twenty experimental rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, five rabbits each. All rabbits were exposed to a 5 kW AC for 5 minutes. Each rabbit was only irradiated on one side, and their natural blinking was observed during this process. After modeling, each group was separately subjected to treatments with physiological saline, oxybuprocaine hydrochloride, rh EGF, and a combination of medications.
Results
Compared to the control group, the experimental group receiving recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rh EGF) treatment exhibited a significant decrease in blink frequency and wiping frequency (P < 0.05), with notably superior effects compared to the group treated with oxibuprocaine hydrochloride. Furthermore, compared to the oxibuprocaine hydrochloride group, the experimental group receiving rh EGF treatment showed a significant reduction in conjunctival congestion and prolonged secretion duration (P < 0.05), along with a shorter corneal epithelial recovery time compared to the oxibuprocaine hydrochloride group (P < 0.05). Fluorescein sodium staining revealed a smaller stained area in the experimental group receiving rh EGF treatment. Additionally, inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were markedly decreased in the rh EGF treatment group, while the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 exhibited a significant increase.
Conclusions
We confirmed that rh EGF not only promotes corneal repair but also possesses certain analgesic effects, which providing new perspectives and strategies for future research in the field of corneal injury treatment and repair.