Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of mitomycin C on the cell replication activity in wound healing following experimental filtration surgery.
Methods: Trabeculectomy with or without application of mitomycin C was performed on albino rabbit eyes. At 1, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker of cell proliferation, in the filtering site was examined immunohistochemically using a streptavidin-biotin complex method.
Results: In control eyes that underwent trabeculectomy but did not receive mitomycin C, the number of immunoreactive cells increased 4-7 days after operation and decreased markedly at around 14 days. The filtering site was obstructed histologically at 4-7 days after operation. In the mitomycin C-treated eyes, immunoreactive cells appeared 4 days after surgery but disappeared by 7 days at the surgical site. The number of immunoreactive cells in the treated eyes was much lower than that in control eyes.
Conclusion: The cell replication activity was markedly inhibited by administration of mitomycin C. The filtering site remained open for 28 days after surgery, whereas it was completely obstructed within 7 days in control eyes. Immunocytochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, as used in this study, is a simple and reliable method for detection of cell replication activity.