CMDBS, functional analogue of heparin sulfate as a new class of corneal ulcer healing agents.

Soluble dextran polymer derivatives (CMDBSs) are originally synthesized as heparin-like plasma substitutes. Some of them mimic heparin in its interactions and stabilize, protect and facilitate actions of heparin binding growth factors. The wound healing activity of one specific CMDBS was studied in a model of corneal ulcer on the rabbit eye and compared with the activity of basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) added alone or in association with CMDBS. Total reepithelization was observed with bFGF + CMDBS, bFGF alone and CMDBS alone after, respectively, 3.8 +/- 0.78, 4.3 +/- 0.67 and 4.4 +/- 0.51 days. All treatments were efficient if compared with eyes treated with saline (p < 0.0001). The grade of significance of the applied treatments was as follows: bFGF + CMDBS > bFGF > CMDBS > saline. Our study pinpoints that some specific CMDBS are as potent agents as bFGF for corneal ulcer healing, and can therefore be proposed for therapeutic use.