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Author Spotlight: Decoding Corneal Neovascularization with Alkali Burn Model for Future Therapeutic Strategies
Published on: June 30, 2023
Research on mouse model of grade II corneal alkali burn
Jun-Qiang Bai1, Hai-Feng Qin1, Shi-Hong Zhao1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Changhai Hospital, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Aim:
To choose appropriate concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to establish a stable and consistent corneal alkali burn mouse model in grade II.
Methods:
The mice (n=60) were randomly divided into four groups and 15 mice each group. Corneal alkali burns were induced by placing circle filter paper soaked with NaOH solutions on the right central cornea for 30s. The concentrations of NaOH solutions of groups A, B, C, and D were 0.1 mol/L, 0.15 mol/L, 0.2 mol/L, and 1.0 mol/L respectively. Then these corneas were irrigated with 20 mL physiological saline (0.9% NaCl). On day 7 postburn, slit lamp microscope was used to observe corneal opacity, corneal epithelial sodium fluorescein staining positive rate, incidence of corneal ulcer and corneal neovascularization, meanwhile pictures of the anterior eyes were taken. Cirrus spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to scan cornea to observe corneal epithelial defect and corneal ulcer.
Results:
Corneal opacity scores (x±s) were not significantly different between the group A and group B (P=0.097). Incidence of corneal ulcer in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P=0.035). Incidence of corneal ulcer and perforation rate in group B was lower than that in group C. Group C and D had corneal neovascularization, and incidence of corneal neovascularization in group D was significantly higher than that in group C (P=0.000).
Conclusion:
Using 0.15 mol/L NaOH can establish grade II mouse model of corneal alkali burns.
Insights
A 0.15 mol/L sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution effectively creates a stable Grade II corneal alkali burn mouse model. This concentration balances burn severity for reliable research in corneal disease studies.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Toxicology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Corneal alkali burns are a significant cause of vision impairment.
- Establishing a reproducible animal model is crucial for studying burn pathophysiology and testing treatments.
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a common agent used to induce experimental corneal burns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for creating a consistent Grade II corneal alkali burn mouse model.
- To evaluate the efficacy of different NaOH concentrations in inducing specific burn severities and associated pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Sixty mice were divided into four groups (n=15 each) and exposed to varying NaOH concentrations (0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 1.0 mol/L) for 30 seconds.
- Corneal alkali burns were induced using filter paper soaked in NaOH solutions.
- Corneal opacity, epithelial defects, ulceration, and neovascularization were assessed on day 7 post-burn using slit-lamp microscopy and optical coherence tomography.
Main Results:
- A 0.15 mol/L NaOH concentration (Group B) resulted in a significantly higher incidence of corneal ulcer compared to 0.1 mol/L (Group A).
- Group B showed lower rates of corneal ulcer and perforation compared to Group C (0.2 mol/L NaOH).
- Higher NaOH concentrations (Groups C and D) led to corneal neovascularization, with significantly more in Group D (1.0 mol/L).
Conclusions:
- A 0.15 mol/L NaOH concentration is appropriate for establishing a reliable Grade II corneal alkali burn mouse model.
- This concentration provides a balance, inducing significant burn characteristics without excessive damage or perforation.
- The findings support the use of 0.15 mol/L NaOH for standardized research in corneal alkali burn models.
