Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) combined with plasma cryoprecipitate (CRYO) on the corneal injury induced by paraquat (PQ).
Methods: According to the "Toxicological test methods of pesticides for registration" (GB 15670-1995), the conjunctival sacs of 18 health New Zealand rabbits were exposed to 100 µl 20% PQ, which were randomly divided into EGF, CRYO and EGF plus CRYO groups. The routine treatments (normal saline washing and antibiotic eyedrops) were administrated to the injured eyes of 3 groups, at the same time the left eyes of 3 groups were treated with EGF, CRYO and EGF plus CRYO, respectively. The injury of conjunctival, iris and corneal, fluorescent stranded and pathology changes of corneal were observed. The injury score was calculated and the recovery time of corneal injury was recorded.
Results: The recovery time of corneal injury in EGF and EGF plus CRYO groups were 19.50 ± 3.08 and 18.67 ± 2.73 days, respectively which were significantly lower than those (27.33 ± 2.58 and 26.83 ± 3.13 days) in corresponding routine treatment controls (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: EGF and EGF plus CRYO could be used to treat the corneal injury induced by paraquat.