[Animal Modeling]-Mustard gas method to replicate animal models of corneal endothelial injury

  (1) Reproduction method Anesthetize healthy New Zealand rabbits weighing 2.0 to 3.0 kg by intramuscular injection of 15% bufenazone at a body weight of 20 mg/kg. Place the glass tube (open at both ends) vertically in the center. After slightly pressurizing the rabbit’s cornea (horizontal position), inject 0.2 ml of 99.6% liquid mustard gas into the glass tube and immerse the liquid into the corneal forearm for at least 1 mm. The tube is filled up after 3 minutes. Immediately after exhausting, rinse with tap water for 5 minutes.

  (2) One hour after exposure of the model features, rabbit eyes showed red eyelids and swelling, conjunctival hyperemia and edema, secretions, corneal epithelial defects, corneal opacity, and anterior chamber reactions. Pathological examination showed that after two days, all of the corneal epithelium and the anterior elastic layer disappeared, and the collagen in the matrix was still neatly placed without obvious edema and inflammatory cell infiltration. On the 10th day, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the entire corneal stroma, destroying collagen and destroying the layered structure. Even after 30 days, a large number of inflammatory cells will still be found in the stromal layer, mainly in the superficial layer, accompanied by many new blood vessels, tissue proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, abnormal corneal perforation structure and corresponding iris adhesions. The endothelial cells are missing.

  (3) Comparative medicine Mustard gas (pure product) is a colorless oily liquid, slightly soluble in water. Although the incidence of liquid mustard gas poisoning to the eyes is low, the damage can be severe and can lead to blindness. Liquid mustard gas will damage the entire corneal epithelium and anterior elastic layer in the early stage, and then gradually form ulcers due to the loss of epithelial protection and corneal inflammation, eventually leading to corneal perforation and eye atrophy. Since mustard gas is a high-concentration liquid and a fat-soluble poison, corneal epithelial cells are lipophilic. After the necrosis of mustard gas, the corneal epithelial cells will shed tears and secretions into the conjunctiva and eyelids, which can cause conjunctiva and cause congestion. As well as swelling, eyelid swelling, and even damage to the eyelid skin and hair loss. This model method uses direct contact between corneal tissue and mustard gas and flushes it with tap water for 5 minutes to study similar infection events and carry out drug treatments to simulate early self-rescue after human infection, thereby providing an effective animal model and effectively controlling the disease.