[Experimental study on cyclosporin A (CsA) acting on rejection of heterolamellar corneal transplantation]

The experiment involved the transfer of lamellar corneas (0.3mm thick and 10mm diameter central epithelium with stroma) from fresh bovine eyes onto rabbits eyes.

group 1, control, (4 rabbits), the donor corneas remained transparent for up to 7-10 days on the recipient rabbit eyes. After that time, all animals in this group rejected their grafts promptly. They showed markedly circumcorneal congestion, edema and vascularization of the cornea. Histopathology: There are apparently cellular infiltration of leukocytes in the grafts, and graft bed of the cornea, which are found also in the iris. Group 2: 3 rabbits were treated with 1% CsA in castor oil, 5 times per day. After 16 days, One of three rabbits showed mild rejection. Group 3: 4 rabbits were treated with CsA, I.M. 15 mg/kg/D. None has any immunological response to the grafts. The histopathology of group 2 and 3 shows no cellular infiltration, except one. CsA can 1. inhibit the rejection of the heterograft. 2. prolong the survive of the heterograft. 3. inhibit the vascularization. 4. has less side effects.