Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Fresh amniotic membrane has been extensively used in treating ocular surface disease, which can inhibit fibrous tissue proliferation, inhibit neovascularization, and relieve inflammation. However, its application in treating glaucoma is rarely reported.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the antiproliferative effect of fresh amniotic membrane on postoperative scar and compared with preserved amniotic membrane.
METHODS: A total of 36 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. Fresh amniotic membrane and preserved amniotic membrane combined with trabeculectomy separately underwent fresh amniotic membrane and preserved amniotic membrane transplantation. The control group was subjected to trabeculectomy alone. After 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, the morphology and function of filtering bleb were checked, and the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) of surrounding tissue was determined by immunohistochemical method. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Fresh amniotic membrane and preserved amniotic membrane groups displayed bulged filtering bleb with good filtering function. Pathological observation showed that fibroblasts of the filtration pathway had less, but more sparse scar tissues than control group, but inflammatory infiltration was observed in all groups. The cavity of different sizes and shapes were detected in filtration pathway of control group, which was replaced by fibrous tissue hyperplasia, with a large number of fibroblasts. Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of PDGF was significantly less in fresh amniotic membrane and preserved amniotic membrane groups compared with the control group, and the PDGF expression was less in fresh amniotic membrane group than the preserved amniotic membrane group. Fresh and preserved amniotic membrane can improve the filtering bleb function, reduce scar formation, and maintain the patency of filtering pathway. Moreover, the effects of fresh amniotic membrane is better than preserved amniotic membrane.