Effects of Filtering Surgery on the Level of MMP-2 in Rabbit

Lee, Kyoung Min; Hong, Young Jae; Kim, Chan Yun

Abstract

PURPOSE
We investigated the effect of lowering of intraocular pressure by the filtering surgery on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 of aqueous humor and trabecular meshwork. METHODS: Thirty-six white rabbits were used. Penetrating filtering surgery was performed in the one eye of each of eighteen rabbits and anterior chamber paracentesis and suture through sclera were performed on one eye of each eighteen rabbits as control group. The levels of MMP-2 in the aqueous sampling in two groups were checked by gelatin zymogram and Western blot, and the levels of MMP-2 in the trabecular cell extraction were checked by Western blots.
RESULTS
The penetrating filtering surgery performed eye showed significant IOP depression than control group at post op 1 and 2 weeks (P<0.05). The penetrating filtering surgery performed eye showed more increased expression of MMP-2 in the aqueous humor in the zymogram at 2 and 3 weeks, and more increased expression of MMP-2 in the aqueous humor in the Western blot at 1 and 4 weeks. The penetrating filtering surgery performed eye showed more decreased expression of MMP-2 in the trabecula at post op 1 and 4 weeks. But these results were not statistically significant (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The lowering of intraocular pressure by filtrating surgery showed no significant effect on the expression of MMP-2 of aqueous humor and trabecular meshwork.