Safety and efficacy of tacrolimus-coated silicone plates as an alternative to mitomycin C in a rabbit model of conjunctival fibrosis

Abstract

Purpose To find safer and more effective drugs than mitomycin C to prevent conjunctival fibrosis in a rabbit model. Methods Twenty-four rabbits were involved and randomly divided into four groups. Limbus-based peritomy was performed at the superior cornea, and normal saline (NS group), mitomycin C (MMC group), SR (SR group), or TC (TC group)-coated silicone plate was inserted at the sub-Tenon’s space in each group. Conjunctival congestion was evaluated at 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively. At 4 weeks, the numbers of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, blood vessels, and goblet cells were counted in the conjunctiva and Tenon’s capsule around the silicone plate. Results At 4 weeks, conjunctival congestion was significantly less than that observed at 1 week in the SR and TC groups ( p < 0.05), whereas the number of myofibroblasts was significantly lower in the MMC and TC groups ( p < 0.05). The conjunctiva was significantly less congested in the TC group versus the other groups at 1 week and 4 weeks ( p < 0.05). The TC group had the lowest number of inflammatory cells and MMC group had the lowest number of goblet cells among all groups ( p < 0.05). Conclusions The TC-coated silicone plate was more effective in inhibiting inflammation and fibrosis versus the MMC-coated silicone plate and was associated with fewer adverse effects in the rabbit model.

Histopathological Changes of the Anterior Surface Structures of Rabbit Eye after Subconjunctival Injection of Different Doses of Mitomycin C

“…Also, the conjunctival section of group C rabbit showed severe degenerative changes within the conjunctival epithelium associated with desquamation and sloughing of the necrotic cells. These findings are in line with Yoon et al 15 'animal study (rabbits)' who reported the same signs.…”

“…In our study regardinggoblet cells, administration of MMC at different doses even the low dose significantly decreased the goblet cells (P < 0.01), the same result stated by Yoon et al 15 'animal study (rabbits)' where the number of goblet cells was the lowest among all groups. MMC related complications occur in a dose and time-dependent manner, MMC is more suitable for short-term use rather than a good candidate for drug-eluting stents.…”