title: Toxic effects of 5-fluorouracil on fibroblasts following trabeculectomy.
abstract: The inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on fibroblast proliferation is well established. In addition, toxic effects of 5-FU on existing fibroblasts, in rabbits and in vitro, were demonstrated. We examined human subconjunctival scar tissue which was removed during Molteno tube implantation. Surgery was performed 9 weeks after filtering surgery with 5-FU that resulted in bleb scarring. In the tissue, intracytoplasmic vacuoles were detected in some myofibroblasts, with no visible collagen in their vicinity. This presumed toxic effect of 5-FU may be one explanation for the adequacy of fewer than twice 5-FU injections daily following filtering surgery, and for less than 14 days, as originally recommended for inhibiting bleb scarring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ophir
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ticho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil