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Effects of varying 5‐fluorouracil exposure duration on Tenon’s capsule fibroblasts
Author(s) -
Merriman Michael B,
Mora Justin S,
Beaumont Brent W,
Merrilees Mervyn J
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-9071.2001.00422.x
Subject(s) - medicine , proliferating cell nuclear antigen , mortise and tenon , capsule , andrology , cell growth , fibroblast , viability assay , in vitro , pathology , ophthalmology , immunohistochemistry , biology , biochemistry , botany , structural engineering , engineering
Purpose : 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) is used intraoperatively to improve the success of trabeculectomy. Common practice is a 5‐min application of 5‐FU delivered via a Weck Cel sponge. The aim of this study was to determine if shorter exposure times were as effective in inhibiting Tenon’s capsule fibroblast proliferation. Methods : Samples of Tenon’s capsules, obtained from young patients undergoing strabismus surgery, were immersed in vitro in 5‐FU (50 mg/mL) for periods ranging from 1 to 10 min. Control samples were exposed either to growth medium (M199) or 5‐FU vehicle alone. Explants were cultured for up to 7 days and analysed for cell density, cell viability using fluoroprobe detection, and cell proliferation determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)‐staining. Results : Exposure to 5‐FU for 1 and 5 min resulted in a similar and significant inhibition of the culture‐induced increase in stromal cell density ( P < 0.01), a significant reduction in the percentage of viable cells ( P < 0.02), and reduced PCNA indices, compared with controls. Exposure times of 3 and 10 min produced similar results. Conclusions : In vitro , under conditions of organ culture, a 1‐min exposure to 5‐FU had a significant antiproliferative effect on fibroblasts of Tenon’s capsule, and was similar to 5 min of exposure. Optimal intraoperative 5‐FU exposure time may be as little as 1 minute.