Crab cuticle membrane application for treatment of corneal lamellar laceration in rats: A preliminary study

Abstract

Corneal lamellar laceration defined as a partial thickness injury to the cornea that may affect vision in various degree. Prompt management is needed to maintain integrity of the cornea and to avoid possible complications resulting from the injury. Material such as amniotic membrane had been widely use to promote reepithelization after corneal injury. Result from previous studies revealed that chitin, the most abundant substance in the cuticle layer of crab shell, is contribute to reepithelization after injury. Crab cuticle membrane preparation were made similar to amniotic membrane that is widely use in the management of corneal injury, therefore chitin might be sought as alternative material in the management of corneal injury which promote reepithelization. This study aimed to assess corneal epithelial proliferation profile and the number of keratocyte in rats after corneal lamellar laceration injury with and without application of crab cuticle membrane. Rats with corneal lamellar laceration injury were divided into groups treated with and without crab cuticle membrane application. Eyes were enucleated on the first and third days after treatment. Histologic preparations were made to assess corneal epithelial proliferation process and number of keratocyte in all groups. Cellular migration of more than 50 % were found in 66.7% of samples on 1 day after treatment and 61.1% of samples on the third days after treatment with crab cuticle membrane. The average number of keratocyte were 33.89 ± 5.27 cells/LPF on 1 day after treatment and 46.22 ± 9.55 cells/LPF on the third days after treatment with crab cuticle membrane. Epithelial proliferation after corneal lamellar laceration in rats treated with crab cuticle membrane application is faster and the number of keratocyte is more abundant compared to treatment without the application of crab cuticle membrane.