Biochemical and histochemical response to a complete epithelial denudation of the rabbit cornea. Alkaline and acid phosphatase.

Activities of alkaline and acid phosphates were investigated in rabbit corneas after a complete epithelial denudation in vivo (limbus to limbus). Dynamics of enzymatic changes during corneal healing were followed quantitatively in homogenates of regenerated epithelium and stroma (denuded cornea) and in cryostate frozen sections on days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 28. Biochemical and histochemical findings at these times showed a different response in each enzyme. Acid phosphatase displayed a gradual increase of activity in epithelium as well as in stroma; on day 28 after injury its content was normal. In contrast, alkaline phosphatase showed delayed activity during the repair process, and even a month after de-epithelization was still subnormal, particularly in superficial layers of epithelium.