Abstract
Purpose:
To determine the anti-angiogenic effect of porcine chondrocyte-derived extracellular membrane (CDECM) and to investigate whether the CDECM can reduce postoperative scar formation in an experimental rabbit model of glaucoma filtration surgery.
Methods:
12 New Zealand white rabbits underwent the modified glaucoma filtering surgery and received subconjunctival injections as follows: CDECM (group 1) and normal saline (group 2). In vivo, the effect of the CDECM on the rabbit model of modified glaucoma filtering surgery was investigated using histopathological and immunochemical analyses of the inflammation, fibrosis and angiogenesis.
Results:
The degree of inflammation in the area of the sclera flap lesion at 4 weeks postoperatively was not significantly different between groups 1 and 2 (P=0.19). However, a significant reduction in the degree of fibrosis and in the vascularization in the sclera flap were observed in group 1 (P=0.002, P=0.002).
Conclusions:
Reductions in angiogenesis and fibrosis, which are related to wound healing, were verified in the experimental rabbit model of glaucoma filtration surgery with a CDECM subconjunctival injection. Therefore, it was expected that CDECM in glaucoma filtration surgery would have had an anti-scarring effect.