Objective: To study the effect of matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor GM6001 in suppressing scar tissue formation in the filtering passage after glaucoma filtration surgery.
Methods: Twenty-four pigmented rabbits (48 eyes) underwent trabeculectomy followed by subconjunctival injection of GM6001 in the right eye (treated eyes) and injection of PBS in the left eye (control) once a day. The intraocular pressure was monitored postoperatively and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)- and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive cells in the filtering pathway were detected using immunohistochemistry.
Results: On postoperative days 7, 14, 21, and 28, the intraocular pressure was significantly lower in the treated eyes (GM6001) than in the control eyes (P<0.01). The counts of PCNA- and α-SMA-positive cells were also significantly lowered in the treated than in the control eyes (P<0.01).
Conclusion: GM6001 can inhibit excessive proliferation of the fibroblasts in the filtering pathway to suppress scar tissue formation and prolong the existence of the functional filtration bleb in rabbits.