The Wound Healing Effect of Doxycycline after Corneal Alkali Burn in Rats

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the wound healing effect of doxycycline and its underlying mechanisms in a rat model of corneal alkali burn. Methods Male SD rats were administered 1.0 N NaOH in the right cornea for 25 seconds and randomly divided into the doxycycline group and the control group, with 84 rats in each group. 1.0 g·L−1 doxycycline eye drops (doxycycline group) or vehicle (control group) was topically instilled onto the rat cornea after chemical injury. Three days, 7 days, and 14 days after alkali burn, microscopy was used to observe corneal wound healing by fluorescein staining and the degree of corneal opacity. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was detected by RT-PCR and ELISA, alpha-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) levels were measured by immunofluorescent staining, and Western blot assays for TGF-β1, a-SMA, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were also performed. Results Corneal wound healing and corneal opacity scores were better in the doxycycline group than in the control group. Three, 7, and 14 days after corneal alkali burn, a significant increase in TGF-β1 was observed in corneas from the control group, compared with the corneas from the doxycycline group (P < 0.05). The corneal levels of MMP-9 in the doxycycline group were lower than those in the control group 3 days and 7 days after alkali burn (P < 0.05). In addition, doxycycline inhibited α-SMA expression and suppressed NF-κB expression. Conclusion Doxycycline treatment promoted corneal healing and reduced corneal opacity in SD rats. Doxycycline protected the cornea from alkali burn injury by reducing TGF-β1, MMP-9, NF-κB, and α-SMA expression.

The effect of N -acetyl cysteine and doxycycline on TNF-α-Rel-a inflammatory pathway and downstream angiogenesis factors in the cornea of rats injured by 2-chloroethyl-ethyl sulfide

“…endothelial [35]. In the alkali injury of the cornea, MMP-9 is responsible for the degradation of the basement membrane and tight junction between epithelial cells [16]. Our H&E staining showed that the existence of interrupted squamous epithelium was significant in the cornea injured with CEES; however, it was improved in the long run treatment.…”

“…Before beginning the study, all rats received 0.3% tobramycin eye drops to prevent corneal infection [16]. At the 0 day, rats belonging to the groups 2-5 were anesthetized by 35 mg/kg body weight, ketamine hydrochloride 10% and xylazine 2% combination (Alfasan Company, Woerden, The Netherlands) to painless the corneal analgesia.…”

Complicated Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer in a Patient with Multiple Autoimmune Disorders

“…23,24 Doxycycline has also been shown to speed up repair and healing of the cornea by decreasing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which decrease levels of inflammatory cytokines. [25][26][27] Tarsorrhaphy (partially sewing the eyelids closed) is an effective method to keep the cornea hydrated and oxygenated.…”

The Effect of Collagen-Chitosan-Sodium Hyaluronates Intrastromal Implantation on Corneal Clarity and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-ß) (Experimental Study On New Zealand Rabbit)

“…Inhibition of TGF-ß results in more transparent cornea after corneal alkali burn 19 . Mice wounded by corneal alkali burn and given TGF-ß inhibitor also had less inflammatory cell infiltration and myofibroblasts than the control group and had more transparent corneas and less neovascular at day 20 observation 20 .…”