Changes in alkaline and acid phosphatases of the rabbit cornea following experimental exposure to ethanol and acetone: a biochemical and histochemical study.

Alkaline and acid phosphatases were studied in the rabbit cornea following acetone and ethanol exposure to the eye. Changes in enzyme activities were investigated in homogenates of epithelium and stroma quantitatively and in frozen cryostat sections on days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 28. Biochemical and histochemical findings showed a remarkable increase in alkaline phosphatase of the epithelium beginning on day 7. This activation persisted until day 28 after instillation of both noxae with maximum activity on day 14. However, acetone was proved to be significantly more effective than ethanol. In addition, a different topochemistry of alkaline phosphatase was found in the epithelium of treated corneas, i.e., enzyme activity was observed not only superficially but in all epithelial layers of the cornea as compared to a normal one. The effect of acetone and ethanol on a regenerating corneal epithelium is discussed.