Effect of Lactoferrin Solution on Histological Changes of Rabbit Cornea in Thermal Burns

INTRODUCTION: According to the literature, the proportion of burns among eye injuries ranges between 7.7 and 18%. Most visits to the emergency medical aid department are associated with corneal damage. In the structure of burns, the thermal factor is mentioned less often than chemical factor, while the circumstances of injury are diverse. AIM: To evaluate the effect of human lactoferrin solution on the histological picture of rabbit cornea in III degree thermal corneal burns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 41 rabbits aged 9–12 months. A thermal burn was experimentally modeled using a method developed at the Department of Eye Diseases of the Ryazan State Medical University. The animals were distributed into groups: group 1 received placebo therapy (water for injections, 1 drop 3 times daily), group 2 was treated with lactoferrin solution at a dose of 2.5 mg/ml, 1 drop 3 times a day. RESULTS: The group with experimental treatment was characterized by a faster epithelialization of the corneal defect, the inflammatory response was less severe, and corneal perforations were absent. On day 7, appearance of endothelium was noted, and from day 14, the formation of connective tissue started. CONCLUSION: Topical application of lactoferrin solution has a beneficial effect on epithelial healing, but may lead to excessive formation of connective tissue in rabbit cornea after thermal burn.