[Amniotic Membrane Suspension and Autologous Serum - Are they Important for Wound Healing?] / Amnionmembransuspension und autologes Serum ­ spielt der Inhalt eine Rolle für die Wundheilung?

ABSTRACT

Autologous serum (AS) and amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) are used in the treatment of several ocular surface diseases. AMT is associated with a surgical intervention. Surgery could be avoided by using eye drops prepared from an amniotic membrane homogenate (AMH) or amniotic membrane suspension (AMS). EGF, bFGF, IL-6 and IL-8 were detected in AMS. However, EGF and bFGF concentrations in AMS were about 1.7-17× lower than in AMH, and IL-6 and IL-8 could not be detected in AMH. 100 % AMS, 15 and 30 % AMH significantly decreased proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) compared to controls (p = <0.002 for all), but 15 and 30 % AMS did not affect proliferation. Migration increased significantly compared to controls with 15 and 30 % AMS (p < 0.001), but did not change significantly with 15 or 30 % AMH (p = 0.153 and p = 0.083). Proliferation of HCECs was significantly greater with 15 % AS than with 30 % AS (p < 0.001). HCEC migration was significantly greater with 30 % AS than with 5 % AS (p < 0.01). In summary, 15 and 30 % AMS and 15 and 30 % AS exhibit the best supportive effect on human corneal epithelial cells. Nevertheless, we always have to keep in mind that individual growth factor concentrations exhibit high inter-individual fluctuations in AS or AMS eye drops.