CMDBS, FUNCTIONAL ANALOG OF HEPARIN SULFATE AS A NEW CLASS OF CORNEALULCER HEALING AGENTS

Soluble dextran polymer derivatives (CMDBSs) are originally synthesize d as heparin-like plasma substitutes. Some of them mimic heparin in it s interactions and stabilize, protect and facilitate actions of hepari n binding growth factors. The wound healing activity of one specific C MDBS was studied in a model of corneal ulcer on the rabbit eye and com pared with the activity of basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) adde d alone or in association with CMDBS. Total reepithelialization was ob served with bFGF + CMDBS, bFGF alone and CMDBS alone after, respective ly, 3.8 +/- 0.78, 4.3 +/- 0.67 and 4.4 +/- 0.51 days. All treatments w ere efficient if compared with eyes treated with saline (p < 0.0001). The grade of significance of the applied treatments was as follows: bF GF + CMDBS > bFGF > CMDBS > saline. Our study pinpoints that some spec ific CMDBS are as potent agents as bFGF for corneal ulcer healing, and can therefore be proposed for therapeutic use.