Effects of three blood derived products on equine corneal cells, an in vitro study.
Authors: Rushton J O, Kammergruber E, Tichy A, Egerbacher M, Nell B, Gabner S
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whilst topical serum remains a standard treatment for equine corneal ulcers owing to its anticollagenolytic activity and wound-healing growth factors, many cases still progress to require surgical intervention. Rushton and colleagues investigated whether alternative blood-derived products—specifically platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF)—might offer superior therapeutic potential by conducting an in vitro study of their effects on equine corneal epithelial and fibroblast cell cultures. The researchers compared cellular responses across three products: autologous serum, PRP, and PRGF, measuring parameters including cell proliferation, migration, and expression of relevant molecular markers. Although specific numerical findings are not detailed in the abstract, the study provides the first direct evidence of how these increasingly popular blood-derived therapies influence equine corneal cell behaviour, filling a notable gap in equine ophthalmology literature given their extensive use in orthopaedic and human ophthalmic applications. For practitioners managing refractory corneal disease, these findings may inform decisions about whether to progress beyond conventional serum therapy to more sophisticated blood products, though clinical validation studies will be essential before altering established treatment protocols.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Topical serum application remains a evidence-based option for corneal ulcers when medical therapy fails, given its anticollagenolytic and growth factor benefits
- •PRP and PRGF show promise for corneal wound healing based on orthopedic and human ophthalmic applications, but equine ophthalmology evidence is currently lacking—this study begins to address that gap
- •Results may guide selection of blood-derived products for corneal ulcers in cases requiring surgical intervention or intensive topical therapy
Key Findings
- •Study compared effects of serum, platelet rich plasma (PRP), and plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) on equine corneal cells in vitro
- •Serum has established anticollagenolytic properties and contains growth factors promoting corneal wound healing
- •PRP and PRGF are widely used in equine orthopaedics and human ophthalmology but lack documented evidence in equine ophthalmology