Date of Award

4-1983

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Cecil L. MeIntire

Second Advisor

Dr. Leonard Beuving

Third Advisor

Dr. Jaime Benitez

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was topically administered to perforated rat tympanic membranes in an attempt to facilitate regrowth of the membranes. Every 24 hours for the first four postperforation days, two groups of tympanic membranes were processed and examined histologically for differences between PGE2 treated and control animals.

At 24 hours postperforation granulocyte infiltration at the perforation site was greater in the test animals. By 48 hours blood clots were larger in PGE2 treated animals. Finally, the epithelium was thinner in test animals than in control animals at 96 hours.

Slight tendencies for the test animals to develop mature collagen, smaller perforation sizes, and increased vascularity were noted at 48 hours. The PGE2 treated animals demonstrated slightly thinner regrowing membranes by 72 hours and larger blood clots by 96 hours. No definitive conclusions could be drawn from the results, however PGE2 may slightly accelerate healing of the perforated tympanic membrane.

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