AIM:To observe the effect of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in preserved amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) during early corneal alkali burns in rabbits.METHODS:Twelve rabbits were used to establish corneal alkali burn models with 1mmol/L sodium hydroxide and the AMT was performed within 24 hours in the right eyes,and the left eyes were as control.The morphologic change of eyes was observed regularly and the TNF-α concentration of aqueous humor was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method 7,14,21,28 days after AMT procedure.Also,PDGF-BB (a maker of PDGF) protein expression of corneal tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry method.RESULTS:Compared to the control group,the AMT eyes showed moderate corneal inflammation,distinctive ulcer boundary,quick epithelium regeneration and shorter corneal neovascularization length.The TNF-α concentration in the 7th and 28th day in ATM group was 315.5±19.8 ng/L and 140.6±11.5 ng/L respectively,which was significantly lower than those in control group with 363.0±28.5 ng/L and 283.5±19.9 ng/L (P<0.05).The PDGF-BB protein expression increased 14 and 28 days after ATM procedure than those in control group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The preserved AMT is effective in ocular reconstruction in early stage of corneal alkali burns,which may resulted from the inhibition of TNF-α concentration and the increase of PDGF expression.