Postoperative Use of Cyclosporine, Prednisolone or a Cyclosporine/Prednisolone Combination to Treat Inflammation of the Conjunctiva Following Trabeculectomy in Rabbits
Heloisa Helena Russ *
Graefe Institute of Ophthalmology, Rua Capitão Souza Franco, 95 Curitiba, PR, Brazil and Federal University of São Paulo, Ophthalmology Department, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Nubia Vanessa Lima de Faria
Federal University of Minas Gerais, Ophthalmology Department, Av. Alfredo Balena, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Palloma Rose
Federal University of Parana, Veterinary Department, Rua dos Funcionarios,Brazil
Fabiano Montiani-Ferreira
Federal University of Parana, Veterinary Department, Rua dos Funcionarios,Brazil
Paulo Augusto de Arruda Mello
Federal University of São Paulo, Ophthalmology Department, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sebastião Cronemberger
Federal University of Parana, Veterinary Department, Rua dos Funcionarios,Brazil
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this investigation was to compare different topical treatment protocols for controlling inflammation in rabbits during the postoperative period following trabeculectomy.
Methods: Thirty rabbits had their right eyes treated with a daily eye drop of 0.03% bimatoprost for 30 days. All rabbits then underwent a trabeculectomy procedure and were divided into three groups (G1, G2 and G3). Rabbits from G1 received prednisolone acetate 1.0% four times a day, G2 received cyclosporine 0.05% twice a day and G3 received both prednisolone acetate 1.0% four times a day and cyclosporine 0.05% twice a day. Seven days after the surgery all rabbits were euthanized and enucleated. Histomorphometry was performed in HE-stained sections to evaluate epithelial thickness, blood vessel diameter and vascular area. Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies against smooth muscle actin, factor VIII and IL-6 was performed to assessfibrosis, neovascularization and inflammatory cell infiltration, respectively.
Results: In group G3 there was a reduction in the thickness and diameter of the conjunctival epithelium and the diameter and number of blood vessels, and less inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis.
Conclusion: This study suggests that a combination of prednisolone and cyclosporine is more effective than either of these drugs used alone to control postoperative conjunctival inflammation following trabeculectomy in rabbits.
Keywords: Conjunctiva, glaucoma, drug therapy, histology, histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry