Superoxide radical scavenging agents in treatment of alkali burns. An experimental study
V. S. Nirankari, S. D. Varma, V. Lakhanpal and R. D. Richards
To test the hypothesis that superoxide radicals are involved in tissue
destruction after alkali burns, superoxide dismutase, ascorbic acid, and
glutathione were used as superoxide radical scavenging agents. Daily
subconjunctival injections were given in rabbit eyes after alkali burns.
Both superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid were effective in preventing
corneal perforations. Glutathione did not show any beneficial effect. These
experiments suggest that superoxide radical scavenging agents may be useful
in the treatment of ocular alkali burns.
