[A study of interferon alpha-2b as an accessory drug after glaucoma filtration surgery].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the inhibitory action of interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha-2b) on the cicatrization under conjunctiva and the best way to use it after glaucoma filtration surgery.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical PAP method and image biological system 2000 (IBAS 2000) were utilized to quantitatively analyze the inhibitory effect of IFN alpha-2b on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) of cultured calf fibroblasts; the effects of IFN alpha-2b on collagen contents in suture-caused cicatrization under conjunctiva and changes of aqueous humor protein after trabeculectomy performed on rabbits have also been observed.


RESULTS
IFN alpha-2b reduced the expression of EGFR of cultured bovine fibroblasts at a dose-dependent manner. The relationship between the EGFR and the dosage of IFN alpha-2b is Y = 2953.8 - 554.5 lgx (r = -0.98, P < 0.01). With 4.67 x 10(-5) micromol/L IFN alpha-2b not only reduced about 50% of the collagen in suture-caused cicatrization, but also significantly decreased the protein concentration of aqueous humour 3 and 72 hours after trabeculectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
It is promising that IFN alpha-2b can be used after glaucoma filtration surgery to reduce excessive cicatrization with many advantages compared with antimetabolites.
Xiong
X
X
Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan 430022.
Du
S
S
Lü
Y
Y
Wei
H
H
D000818:Animals; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D018463:Filtering Surgery; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors