D. Fredjreygrobellet et al., CMDBS, FUNCTIONAL ANALOG OF HEPARIN SULFATE AS A NEW CLASS OF CORNEALULCER HEALING AGENTS, Ophthalmic research, 26(6), 1994, pp. 325-331
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.