[The effects of single mitomycin C application on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase in the sclera and aqueous of albino rabbits].
BACKGROUND
Topically applied mitomycin C, which is used to prevent scar formation after filtering surgery for glaucoma, is known to cause reduction in scleral cells and abnormal remodelling of scleral extracellular matrices. I examined in this study the effects of mitomycin C on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase in the sclera and aqueous humor.


METHODS
Mytomycin C was applied for 5 minutes to the bared sclera of 14 albino rabbit eyes. The sclera was organ cultured after 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month. The culture medium was subjected to zymography to quantitate the gelatinase activity. In situ zymography was performed on the sclera obtained 1 month after mitomycin C application. The aqueous was also subjected to zymography.


RESULTS
The scleral tissue and its cultured media showed enhanced gelatinase activity. The aqueous showed no changes in gelatinase activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased activity in matrix metalloproteinase may be involved in the abnormal remodelling of scleral extracellular matrices after application of mitomycin C.
Hanyu
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000201:enzymology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000032:analysis*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits; D012590:Sclera / Q000201:enzymology*
D016685:Mitomycin; D018093:Gelatinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2