Effects of topical application of 5-FU on the corneoscleral limbus of rabbits.docVIP

 PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 13 Effects of topical application of 5-FU on the corneoscleral limbus of rabbits Author: Lucieni CB Ferraz1, Silvana A. Schellini, Mariangela EA Marques Abstract To observe the effects of topical application of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the rabbits corneal limbus. METHODS: 5-FU was applied topically to the corneoscleral region of rabbits eyes. The animals were sacrificed immediately or 7, 15 , 30 and 60 days later, and tissues were submitted to histological examination. RESULTS: All animals presented corneoscleral deepithelization close to the site of application during the immediate postoperative period, whereas on the 4th postoperative day ulceration was no longer present. Histological examination showed absence of epithelium and slight edema. After one week (G2), 2 animals presented epithelial defects, thickened epithelium with larger basal cells and loose chromatin, and slight subepithelial edema. The remaining groups showed no alterations. CONCLUSION: The 5-FU topically on the corneoscleral limbus postpone the epitelization. Keywords: 5-fluorouracil; antimitotic agent; rabbits; topical application; histopathology INTRODUCTION The antimitotic agents were used to increase the success of pterygium excision, preventing recurrence of the lesion [1]. The mitomycin C applied in a low concentration and in a single intraoperative application in the surgical treatment of pterygium and it is an effective and safe adjuvant treatment [2]. However, high concentration of mitomycin C provoked corneal inflammation, necrosis of the stroma, loss of endothelium, and hemorrhagic necrosis of the iris, whereas 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) showed no microscopic evidence of toxicity [3] . Five-FU and mitomycin C were described at the same time, but mitomycin C has been much more intensively studied and used than 5-FU. A cytostatic drug of antimetabolic action, 5-FU inhibits DNA formation, with potential selective toxicity for displasic