Effects of Honghua preserved amniotic membrane on scar healing in experimental glaucoma surgery

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Honghua preserved amniotic membrane (AM) for preventing scar formation of the filtering bleb in a rabbit model of glaucoma trabeculectomy surgery.METHODS: Totally 36 rabbits (36 eyes) were randomly divided into 3 groups:the experimental group (ocular trabeculectomy in combination with Honghua preserved AM transplantation), the control group (ocular trabeculectomy surgery in combination with AM implantation), and the blank group (single trabeculectomy). Clinical observations [including intraocular pressure (IOP), filtering blebs and complications], Masson-Trichrome staining, real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), Western blot were performed on different time points (D1, D7, D14, D21 and D56) after the surgery.RESULTS: After operated for 14d, there were statistically significant differences in the filtering blebs compared to the situation before operation (P<0.05), whereas no statistically difference on that among three groups (P>0.05). After 21d, the IOP of experimental group was lowest (P<0.05). There was significant difference between control group and blank group (P<0.05). On postoperative D14, the mean number of fibroblasts in the experimental group was significantly lower (40.6±10.2) compared to those in the control group (54.4±10.8) and blank group (68.2±11.6) (P<0.05, respectively). The mean numbers of the macrophage in the experimental and control groups were respcitively significantly lower versus the blank group (P<0.05, P<0.05, respectively). Compared to that in blank group, the level of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) expression in sclera and conjunctival areas was reduced in the experimental and control groups on protein and mRNA level (PP>0.05).CONCLUSION:The trabeculectory surgery with Honghua preserved AM can control IOP, sustain the functional filtration bleb, inhibit the proliferation of fibroblasts and open the filtrating pathway on the rabbit glaucoma models.