Effect of Acetylcysteine on Experimental Corneal Wounds in Dogs

Abstract

The effects of 3, 10 and 20% concentrations of acetylcysteine on experimental corneal wound healing in dogs were evaluated. Experimental corneal wounds were induced surgically, up to the depth of the anterior third of the stroma, in both eyes of 18 dogs. One of the eyes was treated topically with 0.9% NaCl solution three times a day. The contralateral eye was treated topically with acetylcysteine (3, 10 and 20% concentrations) in each of 6 cases separately. Corneal wounds were measured by fluorescein staining every day. The mean time of healing in the 3% group was significantly different from control eyes (6.17 ± 1.94 days). It was 7.19 ± 0.75 days in the 20% group and 7 ± 2 days in the 10% group. The last two groups were not significantly different from the controls (9.67 ± 3.01 days and 8.17 ± 3.60 days, respectively).

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on matrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion and cell migration of human corneal epithelial cells

“…In all, 3% NAC has been shown to reduce the healing time in dog and rabbit corneas 12,13 whereas 10 and 20% concentrations had no effect in dogs. 12 Non-toxic effects of NAC have been reported in rabbit cornea with topical application of 20% NAC 9,10 but frequent application of 0.1 M NAC for 2 h and 20% NAC over 15 min were reported to have toxic effects. 11 Further, 1% NAC was shown to reduce the cell survival and gelatinase activity of primary rabbit corneal epithelial cells.…”

Effects of Acetylcysteine and Dexamethasone on Experimental Corneal Wounds in Rabbits

“…It has been shown that 3% concentration of acetylcysteine improves the healing time of corneal wounds in dogs but some corneal haze remains after treatments [23] . On the other hand, topical corticosteroids may retard the corneal wound healing but prescribing of steroids immediately after PRK may be effective on early inflammatory reaction and decreasing haze [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] .…”

Retrospective study on clinical management of indolent ulcers in Boxer dogs

“…Despite of previous studies had referred that proteinase inhibitors may be capable to accelerate the process of reepithelialization (Aldavood et al 2003), it was observed that it doesn't interfere at the corneal healing rate (Petroutsos et al 1982, Aldavood et al 2003. Nevertheless, authors suggest its administration in every case of indolent ulcer aiming to reduce the proteolytic activity of the ocular surface and to give support to corneal tissue on its restructuration (Berman 1975, Burns et al 1989.…”

“…This drug is capable to promote stability and give support to the corneal tissue on its restructuration (Berman 1975, Burns et al 1989, reduce proteolytic activity of ocular surface and even accelerate the process of reepithelialization (Aldavood et al 2003). Acetylcysteine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and blood serum (α-2 macroglobulin), are some of the available proteinase inhibitors on veterinary ophthalmology practice (Aldavood et al 2003).…”

“…This drug is capable to promote stability and give support to the corneal tissue on its restructuration (Berman 1975, Burns et al 1989, reduce proteolytic activity of ocular surface and even accelerate the process of reepithelialization (Aldavood et al 2003). Acetylcysteine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and blood serum (α-2 macroglobulin), are some of the available proteinase inhibitors on veterinary ophthalmology practice (Aldavood et al 2003). Orally vitamin C (ascorbic acid), may also be recommended for the treatment of indolent ulcers by its capacity to stimulate and regulate the synthesis of collagen, ϐibroblasts and components of the extracellular matrix in the cornea (Saika et al 1992, Gross 2000, Stojanovic et al 2003, Guo et al 2007.…”