The effect of Na-Hyaluronan(Na-HA) on hemidesmosome morphogenesis was evaluated in n-heptanol induced corneal epithelial wounds, Epithelial wounds were produced by applying a 5.5mm round filter paper, soaked in n-heptanol, on the central cornea for 60 seconds. 1% Na-HA in phosphate buffered saline(PBS) or PBS saline were instilled 4 times a day for 3 days. Epithelial healing rates determined during the first two days were not altered by Na-HA. However, the number of hemidesmosome in the central cornea, which was counted in the basement membrane, significantly increased by the treatment with 1% Na-HA, being 10.0±1.1 in the 1% Na-HA treated group and 6.5±2.5 in the control group. The results suggest that topically applied 1% Na-HA may enhance the formation of hemidesmosome in n-heptanol wounded cornea.

The effect of topically applied 1% sodium hyaluronate on the healing of a standardized corneal alkali wound was evaluated. Central comeal alkali wound was produced in one eye of 60 albino rabbits by applying a 5.5mm round filta paper, soaked in IN NaOH, for 60 seconds. 1% sodium hyaluronate in the treatment group and PBS in the control group were initilled 4 times per day for 2 days, 1 week, and 3 weeks. Epithelial healing was assessed morphometrically from 1 week specimens. Stromal healing was evaluated by measuring the ratio of PMN and keratocyte in the areas of the cental and marginal corneas. A positive healing influence was observed in the epithelium. The stromal PMN infilteration was suppressed, especially, in the central area, in the 1% sodium hyaluronate treated groups when compared with the control group.