Inhibition of Type I Collagen Expression in Fibrosis Prevention after Trabeculectomy: Oryctolagus cuniculus

Abstract

Nurwasis

The administration of postoperative bevacizumab injection in subconjunctival trabeculectomy will reduce bleb fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bevacizumab as an antifibrotic agent on collagen density, collagen thickness and type I collagen expression after trabeculectomy in rabbits. Sixteen males New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups, control and treatment group. Masson’s trichrome was performed to evaluate collagen density and thickness. Immunohistochemistry examination using a monoclonal antibody to type I collagen was performed to evaluate collagen expression. Among the sixteen samples, postoperative bleb conditions obtained diffuse bleb, and there were no differences in bleb characteristics between the control and treatment groups. Anterior chamber was deep, and cornea was clear in all animals. This study showed that the density of collagen fibers and type 1 collagen expression significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to control group (p = 0.0075; p = 0.006, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the thickness of collagen fibers in both groups (p = 0.323). Bevacizumab reduces bleb fibrosis by inhibition of angiogenesis and accumulation of extracellular matrix. Postoperative subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab may limit scar tissue formation at the site of trabeculectomy by blocking collagen synthesis.