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Lactoferrin protects against UV-B irradiation-induced corneal epithelial damage in rats
1Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Nara Research and Development Center, Ikoma-shi, Japan. fujiharat@santen.co.jp
Purpose:
Lactoferrin supplementation suppresses ultraviolet light B (UV-B)-induced oxidation of cultures of human corneal epithelial cells. To investigate the protective effect of lactoferrin containing eyedrops against UV-B-induced corneal damage in vivo, we examined lactoferrin efficacy in a rat UV-B keratitis model.
Methods:
Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated with >10 kJ/m2 after anesthetization, and then corneal epithelial defect was observed at 24 h postirradiation. The pre- or postapplication of vehicle or lactoferrin-containing eyedrops was performed, and then corneal epithelial damage was scored based on fluorescein staining.
Results:
Posttreatment with lactoferrin did not inhibit the extent of corneal damage and did not affect wound healing. However, pretreatment by topical application of lactoferrin suppressed development of a corneal epithelial defect induced by UV-B irradiation in rats.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that the presence of lactoferrin in human tear fluid may inhibit UV-induced corneal epithelial damage.