The effects of recombinant human epithelial growth factor and protein-free calf blood extract for recovery of corneal mechanical epithelial defects healing and neovascularization

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) and protein-free calf blood extract on corneal wound healing and neovascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An rabbit central corneal wound and neovascularization model was established in rabbits. One eye of each group was chosen randomly for topical administration of protein-free calf blood extract, rhEGF, or NS (physiological saline), and variability in the area of corneal epithelial wound healing and neovascularization was observed. RESULTS: On days 1 and 2, the healing rate of corneal epithelium was various among the protein-free calf blood extract group, rhEGF group and NS group (F = 6.475, p = 0.012). The healing rate of corneal epithelium in the rhEGF group was better than the protein-free calf blood extract group (p = 0.004) and NS group (p = 0.041) on day 1. The corneal neovascularization area in the protein-free calf blood extract group was less than that of rhEGF group (p = 0.04) and NS group (p = 0.008) on day 18. CONCLUSIONS: rhEGF had better promotive effect on corneal epithelial wound healing than the protein-free calf blood extract in the advanced phase (within 2 days). Both rhEGF and proteinfree calf blood extract were not found to promote the growth of CNV (corneal neovascularization).