Can steroid reduce endothelial damage in stored corneas? Effect on cell viability and ultrastructure.

We studied the effect of steroid on the viability and integrity of the endothelium of variously stored corneas of different species of animals and man. Paired corneas of rodents and humans were used,--one cornea (experimental) being treated with steroid and the other (control) not. Rat and guinea pig corneas were kept at 37 degrees C for one hour in phosphate buffered saline with or without hydrocortisone 21-sodium succinate (10-6M). Human corneas were kept at 4 degrees C for 4 days in M-K medium with or without hydrocortisone 21-sodium succinate (10-6M). The viability of the endothelia (rat and guinea pig) was tested with para Nitro Blue Tetrazolium and trypan blue dye exclusion tests. The ultrastructural changes in the control and experimental endothelial (guinea pig and human) were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Viable cells P less than 0.001) were more numerous and ultrastructural alteration less in the endothelia of the steroid treated corneas compared to the controls.