The Effect of Collagen-Chitosan-Sodium Hyaluronate Implantation Composite on Inflammation Reaction (Flare) In New Zealand Rabbit Corneal Stroma

Abstract

Corneal transplantation is a solution in treating visual disturbances due to corneal opacities, but this procedure is said to be limited. Various efforts have been made in the development of alternative therapies, one of which is by using composite biomaterials. For this reason, this study aimed to analyze the effect of the collagen-chitosan-sodium hyaluronate composite on the inflammatory reaction (flare) in the corneal stromal injury of New Zealand rabbits. The method used was thirty adult male New Zealand rabbits which were divided into three groups. The first group (negative control) was not treated, the second group (positive control) was subjected to intrastromal injuries by making a stromal pocket with the help of a crescent knife, and the third group had a collagen-chitosan-sodium hyaluronate biomaterial implanted in the stromal pocket. The results of this study showed that there were significant differences in inflammatory reactions (flares) in the collagen-chitosan-sodium hyaluronate composite implantation group with the control and positive control groups (p = 0.001, >0.01). Therefore, it can be concluded that the inflammatory reaction (flare) in the implanted group was higher than the control group, this could occur due to the short observation period so that the biomaterial was not completely absorbed.