Effect of Polydeoxyribonucleotide-Releasing Contact Lenses on Corneal Wound Healing.

OBJECTIVES

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) activates adenosine A2A receptors, subsequently stimulating the release of growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor, which promote anti-inflammatory effects, cell proliferation, and tissue regeneration. This study investigated the effects of 0.1% PDRN-releasing contact lenses (PDRN-CL) on corneal wound healing in an animal model.

METHODS

After corneal epithelial injury induced by 20% alcohol and a #15 blade in six New Zealand White rabbits, control lenses were worn in one eye and PDRN-releasing lenses (Neovision, Korea) in the other eye were applied daily for 6 hr every day over 4 days. Fluorescein staining was used to assess wound area, expressed as a percentage of the initial defect. On fourth day, corneas were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Ki67, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) staining. Differences in epithelial defect area were analyzed using independent t tests, with P <0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Corneal epithelial defects decreased over time, and from the first day to the morning of the third day, wound healing was significantly accelerated in the PDRN-CL group compared with the control contact lens group ( P <0.05). By the afternoon of the third day, corneal epithelial defects were not observed in either group. Tissue examination showed that the epithelial cell layer was thicker in the PDRN-CL group ( P <0.05), and Ki67 expression was significantly higher in the PDRN-CL group ( P <0.05). The PDRN-CL group exhibits significantly lower MMP-9 levels and MMP-2 expressions ( P =0.023 and P <0.0001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Polydeoxyribonucleotide-CL was effective in promoting corneal wound healing and epithelial cell proliferation and in reducing inflammation. Therefore, it may be useful for treating contact lens complications or corneal injuries.