The effect of halofugınone and pirfenidone on wound healing in experimental glaucoma filtration surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of halofuginone and pirfenidone on wound healing in experimental glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS).

Study Design: Animal experimentation.

Methods: A total of 42 male New Zealand albino rabbits were separated into 6 equal groups. A limbal-based trabeculectomy was performed on 5 groups, and Group I (control group) underwent no surgery and received no postoperative medication. For Group II (sham group), 1 drop 0.9% NaCl was instilled qid for 14 days. For Group III, 1% topical corticosteroid (prednisolone acetate) was instilled 1 drop qid for 14 days. For Group IV, 0.4mg/mL mitomycin-C (MMC) was applied intraoperatively to the region of the scleral flap. For Group V, 0.5% pirfenidone was instilled 1 drop qid for 14 days postoperatively. For Group VI, a sponge soaked in 10ng/mL halofuginone was applied to the surgical region for 3 mins. In addition, 1% topical corticosteroid was instilled ×1 drop qid for 14 days postoperatively for Groups IV, V and VI. After 14 days, sections prepared from the bleb regions of the enucleated eyes were evaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Statistical analyses of the study were performed with Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis and the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: With regard to fibroblasts, suppression of the number of mononuclear cells and immunohistochemical staining intensity of transforming growth factor-b (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor-b (FGF-β) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), the corticosteroid, MMC, pirfenidone and halofuginone groups were seen to exhibit more effect than the sham group (P<0.05). Compared to the pirfenidone and fuginone groups, inhibition of fibroblast and monocyte proliferation was determined to be lower in the MMC group (P<0.05). The intensity of TGF-β and FGF-β staining was seen to be lower in these two treatment groups than in the MMC group (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Halofuginone and pirfenidone may be used as effective alternative agents in delaying wound healing in glaucoma filtration surgery.