Development and clinical application of decellularized porcine SIS and cornea for the repair of corneal defects in animals

Abstract

Porcine small intestine sub-mucosa (SIS) and cornea were decellularized using ionic biological detergent (1% SDS) and stored at –20°C in sterile phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution containing mixture of antibiotics. The prepared biomaterials were subjected to histological and scanning electron microscopic observations to ascertain the decellularization status before their clinical application. Both the biomaterials were evaluated for the repair of corneal defects in 11 animals. Five animals having corneal defects repaired with SIS and 4 repaired with cornea demonstrated successful healing without clinical signs of infections or reoccurrence during the 8 months follow up period. Results of study support the use of decellularized porcine SIS and cornea as an alternative to traditional implantation materials to treat different corneal defects in animals.