[Collagen synthetic activity following filtration surgery in rabbits]

We evaluated collagen synthetic activity, which plays an important role in wound healing, following experimental filtration surgery in rabbits. Collagen synthetic activity was measured by immunohistochemistry for prolyl 4-hydroxylase beta-subunit and type I procollagen. Trabeculectomy was performed on albino rabbit eyes, with the filtering site harvested on postoperative days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 28. Samples were fixed with 10% buffered formalin for 12 hours and prepared for paraffin section, and each antigen was detected in filtering site tissue using avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex. Immunoreaction of prolyl 4-hydroxylase beta-subunit or type I procollagen increased from day 4 to 14 and markedly decreased at day 28. These findings show that prolyl 4-hydroxylase and type I procollagen are markedly produced almost simultaneously, and collagen synthetic activity following filtration surgery continues for over 14 days in the process of wound healing.