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Updated: May 21, 2026
A Step by Step Protocol for Subretinal Surgery in Rabbits
Published on: September 13, 2016
Effects of an anti-transforming growth factor-β agent (pirfenidone) on strabismus surgery in rabbits
Kyoung In Jung1, Jun-Sub Choi, Hyun Kyung Kim
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul , Korea.
Purpose:
To evaluate the usefulness of an anti-transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) agent, pirfenidone (PFD) on postoperative inflammation and fibrosis following strabismus surgery in rabbits.
Methods:
Both eyes of 16 New Zealand white rabbits underwent reinsertion of the superior rectus muscle (SRM). After reinsertion of the SRM, PFD-loaded liposomes (0.5 mg/ml) were injected into the right eye (PFD group) and normal saline-loaded liposomes was injected into the left eye (control group), subconjunctivally (0.4 ml). To assess the postoperative inflammatory changes and fibrosis of the SRM, immunofluorescence staining with anti-CD11b antibody was performed at 3 days postoperatively, and Masson's trichrome staining was performed at 4 weeks postoperatively. To evaluate the toxicity of PFD on muscle fibers, the integrity of the muscle fibers was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 3 days and 4 weeks postoperatively.
Results:
CD11b protein expression was significantly reduced in the PFD group compared with the control group at 3 days postoperatively (p = 0.012). Masson trichrome staining, which stains collagen, was diminished in the PFD group at 4 weeks postoperatively. TEM revealed disorganized muscle fibers and vacuoles in both groups, but this was less prominent in the PFD group.
Conclusions:
Intraoperative injection of PFD may be effective as an adjunctive treatment to decrease inflammation and fibrosis resulting from strabismus surgery.
