Postoperative application of mitomycin c improves the complete success rate of primary trabeculectomy: a prospective, randomized trial

Elucidating the Therapeutic Potential of Cell-Penetrating Peptides in Human Tenon Fibroblast Cells

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely used as vehicles for delivering therapeutic molecules to the site of action. Apart from their delivering potential, the biological effects of CPPs have not been explored in detail. JTS-1 is a CPP that has been reported to have gene delivery functions, although its biological role is yet to be determined. Hence, in this study, we revealed the biological mechanism such as its uptake mechanism and immunogenic potential and function using primary human tenon fibroblast (TF) cells collected from patients undergoing glaucoma trabeculectomy surgery. Our results showed that the JTS-1 peptide has an α-helical structure and is nontoxic up to 1 μM concentration. It was found to be colocalized with early endosome (Rab5), recycling endosome (Rab7), and Rab11 and interacted with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II. The peptide also affected actin polymerization, which is regulated by cofilin phosphorylation and ROCK1 localization. It also inhibited TF cell proliferation. Therefore, the JTS-1 peptide could be used as a possible therapeutic agent for modifying the fibrosis process, where TF proliferation is a key cause of surgery failure.

[Modern filtration surgery. An update]

Preoperative treatment with steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increases the success of filtration surgery. Surgery with the patient under subconjunctival anesthesia is safe. Intraoperative application of mitomycin C is state of the art and enhances success rates. Perioperative use of bevacizumab seems to attenuate postoperative fibrosis. Postoperative hypotension is avoided by stable fixation of the scleral flap followed by stepwise controlled suturelysis or release. Transconjunctival flap suturing allows fast and simple treatment of overfiltration. The shorter the time lag between trabeculectomy and subsequent cataract surgery the higher the probability of bleb failure will be. The number of antiglaucomatous drugs and severity of glaucomatous damage before surgery correlate with the probability of failure and blindness.

A new manner of reporting pressure results after glaucoma surgery

Purpose

To evaluate to what extent contemporary glaucoma abstracts offer complete information and to suggest a new manner of pressure results reporting.

Materials, methods, and results

Most of the 36 relevant surgical glaucoma abstracts found in one issue of International Glaucoma Review contain insufficient data-supported statements. Such abstracts cannot offer a clear picture of the study essence if economic, linguistic, or political barriers prevent access to the full text. In order to enrich abstract content and to avoid typographic space waste, a formula is suggested to provide, in one single line of symbols and figures, all the necessary data for statistical interpretation at two evolution moments: the first significative control (6 months) and the final one.

Conclusion

The current manner of results reporting in surgical glaucoma abstracts is subject to too little standardization, allowing insufficiently data-supported statements. Abstracts, especially those printed in small-circulation language journals, should be conceived and standardized in such a manner that any abstract review reader is capable of grasping the essence of the study at first glance. The suggested manner of reporting results would bring satisfaction to all areas of the process. Publishers would save typographic space, readers would find all the necessary data for statistical analysis and comparison with other studies, and authors would be convinced that the essence of their work would penetrate in spite of any economic, linguistic, or political barriers.

Preparation and properties of a drug release membrane of mitomycin C with N-succinyl-hydroxyethyl chitosan

A novel drug loaded membrane made of N-succinyl-hydroxyethyl chitosan and mitomycin C was used as an implant for glaucoma filtering surgery. The characteristics of the membrane, such as FTIR, equilibrium water content, swelling ratio, permeability, and drug release in vitro were determined. The L929 fibroblast inhibition of drug loaded membranes was compared to hydroxyethyl chitosan film and blank control, detecting by MTT. The biodegradability and biocompatibility were evaluated by implanting membranes into the subcutaneous tissue and muscle of rats. FTIR indicated mitomycin C was introduced. The experimental results indicated the drug loaded membrane was effective on the swelling property, permeability, and drug release in vitro. Cell culture experimental results demonstrated that the destination membrane inhibited fibroblast proliferation. In vivo, the membranes showed bioabsorption and biocompatibility. The experimental results provide a theoretical basis for the future development of the drug loaded membrane as an implant for increasing the success rate of filtering surgery.