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
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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
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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.
Description
Keywords
OPHTHALMOLOGY , ANTIGLAUCOMA