AIM:To explore the effects of recombinant human growth hormone(rHGH)on early rehabilitation in rabbit corneal epithelial wound.

METHODS:Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were selected to establish the corneal epithelial defects models. One eye was treated with normal saline(NC group)and the other eye was treated with 20nmol/L rHGH(rHGH group)in a randomized double-blinded way. The corneal healing process was monitored by the corneal fluorescein staining scores at 0h, 24h, 48h, and 72h after the surgery. The central corneal sensitivity was detected by Cochet-Bonnet corneal esthesiometer and the concentrations of inflammatory mediators interlecukin-1α(IL-1α), interlecukin-17(IL-17), interlecukin-21(IL-21), Leptin, matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in collected tears were measured by multiplex antibody microarray.

RESULTS: The corneal epithelial healing rates of the NC group and rHGH group were(62.52±6.73)% and(79.62±10.62)%(P<0.05),(90.56±9.57)% and(98.43±3.65)%(P<0.05)at 48h and 72h postoperatively. The central corneal sensitivity of rHGH group(4.22±0.26)cm was better than that in NC group(3.22±0.42)cm at 48h after surgery(P<0.05). The expressions of TNF-α and IL-1α increased in both groups at each time point after operation, and the expressions in NC group were higher than those in the rHGH group. Both groups had higher MMP-9 concentrations in the tear fluid at 24 and 48h postoperation in comparison with the point before the operation. The MMP-9 expression in NC group was higher than that in the rHGH group at 48h postoperatively. The expressions of IL-21 in NC group were higher than those in the rHGH group at 24 and 48h postoperation in comparison with the point before the operation(P<0.05). No significant differences in tearIL-17 and Leptin were observed between groups before and after surgery(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Topical application of rHGH can accelerate the early stage of rabbit corneal epithelial wound healing in vivo.