Autologous serum application in the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy*1

Abstract

Autologous serum harbors neurotrophic factors. Autologous serum treatment may provide neural healers to the compromised ocular surface and seems promising for the restoration of the ocular surface epithelial integrity in patients with NK.

Allogeneic serum eye drops for the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defect

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Autologous serum has been found to contain vitamin A, epidermal growth factor, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor-b, which are important substances for corneal and conjunctival integrity. 3,4 However, autologous serum may be contraindicated or unavailable in infants, the elderly, patients with severe systemic bacterial infections or acute autoimmune disease, and those afraid of phlebotomy.…”

Effect of Autologous Serum Eye Drops in Patients with Sjögren Syndrome-related Dry Eye: Clinical and In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Evaluation of the Ocular Surface

“…The major contribution to trophism given by a AS eye drops may explain this, as it leads to a reduction of neurotrophic disease. Matsumoto et al showed that therapy with AS eye drops, thanks to nerve growth factor and surfactant proteins, can help in healing neurotropic keratopathy by facilitating nerve healing and epithelialization (49). This is also supported by investigations carried out by Lopez-Garcia et al (50).…”

Therapeutic and protective effects of autologous serum in amikacin-induced ototoxicity

“…9 Nerve growth factor is the bestknown neurotrophic factor; it is responsible for the growth and survival of developing neurons, and the maintenance of mature neurons. 10,11 Recent studies have indicated the efficacy of autologous serum in the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy, osteoarthritis, chronic graft-versus-host disease and tympanic membrane perforations. [11][12][13] In addition to treatment, autologous serum should be able to prevent or at least decrease cell damage via its anti-apoptotic factors.…”

“…10,11 Recent studies have indicated the efficacy of autologous serum in the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy, osteoarthritis, chronic graft-versus-host disease and tympanic membrane perforations. [11][12][13] In addition to treatment, autologous serum should be able to prevent or at least decrease cell damage via its anti-apoptotic factors. 14 It is these potentially beneficial substances that may provide medical benefits to diseased or damaged inner-ear cells and nerves, in a therapeutic and protective manner.…”

“…14 It is these potentially beneficial substances that may provide medical benefits to diseased or damaged inner-ear cells and nerves, in a therapeutic and protective manner. 11,15 Apoptosis can be induced in cells by application of aminoglycosides. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP (2-deoxyuridine, 5-triphosphate) nick-end labelling ('TUNEL') technique has been extensively used in the detection and quantification of apoptosis in histological tissue sections.…”