AIM: To observe the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)in SD rats corneal limbus following alkali burns by amniotic membrane transplantation, and to explore the effect of limbal stem cells in alkali burned rats.

METHODS: Forty healthy SD rats forty eyes were randomly divided into experimental and control groups, with 20 animals in each group. After the preparation of corneal alkali burn models, cornea of rats in the experimental groups was given amniotic membrane transplantation, and control groups received no treatment. Five rats of each group were killed at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 after operation. The expression of PCNA in limbal stem cells was detected with immunohistochemistry and computer image analysis system at different time points.

RESULTS: The expression of PCNA in experimental groups was higher than the control groups and there was significant difference(P<0.05). The expression of PCNA gradually decreased as time of alkali burn passed by.

CONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane transplantation can enhanced limbal stem cells proliferation in rats with corneal alkali burn and accelerate the healing of corneal epithelium.