EXPRESSION OF INTERLEUKIN 4, INTERLEUKIN 4 RECEPTOR AND IL-4HE EFFECTS OF TOPICAL ANTIGLAUCOMA DRUGS ON THE CONJUNCTIVAL CELL PROFILE

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Date
2001-10
Authors
LlZA SHARMINI, AHMAD TAJUDIN
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Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Topical antiglaucoma drugs were implicated to cause subclinical chronic inflammation , which was believed to be responsible in inducing excessive scarring of the filtering bleb. Our aim is to investigate the effects of topical antiglaucoma drugs on conjunctival cell profile when compared to eye not expose to the drugs. The effects of duration of treatment, type of drugs and number of topical anti glaucoma drugs on conjunctival cell profile were also evaluated. Histological analysis were done on twenty-two conjunctiva biopsies, which were obtained from twenty-two eyes and divided into study and control group. The study group comprised of eleven biopsies, which were obtained from glaucomatous eye that was exposed to topical anti glaucoma drugs for at least three months. According to the number of medication, the study group was further divided into single treatment group (Group B) and multiple treatment group (Group C). Based on duration of treatment, the study group was divided into less than 12 months (Group I) and more or equal to 12 months (Group ll). Based on type of medication, the study group was further divided into timolol only group and combination timolol and pilocarpine group. The control group (Group A) consists of eleven age-matched biopsies, which were obtained during cataract surgery. Quantitative histological analysis of goblet cells, inflammatory cells, masts cells and fibroblasts was done under light microscope. There were statistically significant increased in lymphocytes and plasma cells count in conjunctiva exposed to topical anti glaucoma drugs compared to control. Polymorphs, masts cells, fibroblasts and goblet cells count were reduced in the study group compared to control. There were no statistically significant changes in conjunctiva cell profile xii between single and mUltiple treatment groups. Similarly, there were no statistically significant changes in conjunctival cell profile between those exposed to the drugs more or equal to 12 months and those less than 12 months. Mean duration of exposure to the drugs was 22.82 ± 16.12 months (1.9 year). Plasma cells were significantly increased in conjunctiva exposed to either timolol only or in combination with pilocarpine compared to control. Although hampered by small sample size, there was early evidence of subclinical chronic inflammation in conjunctiva exposed to topical antiglaucoma drugs for at least 1.9 years. The minimum use of topical antiglaucoma drug up to 12 months was considered safe without any significant changes in conjunctival cell profile. Timolol only or in combination with pilocarpine cause minimal changes in conjunctival cell profile.
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Keywords
OPHTHALMOLOGY , ANTIGLAUCOMA
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