Effect of intravitreal plasmin on vitreous removal through a 25-gauge cutting system in the rabbit in vivo.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Intravitreal plasmin creates a posterior vitreous detachment, but may also liquefy the vitreous. This study measures the rate of vitreous removal from rabbit eyes after plasmin injection in vivo.

METHODS:

Intravitreal injections of 150 IU hyaluronidase (n = 5), 0.5 activity units (AU, n = 6) or 0.9 AU of streptokinase-activated human plasmin (n = four groups of 6) in 0.1 ml were performed in rabbits, the fellow eyes received 0.1 ml BSS. After 30 min (hyaluronidase), 30 min, 4 h, 12 h or 24 h (0.9 AU plasmin) or 24 h (0.5 AU plasmin), 1 ml of vitreous was removed from each eye without infusion, using a 25-gauge cutter and a standardized protocol. Animals were sacrificed after surgery.

RESULTS:

Compared to fellow eyes, the average rate of vitreous removal was increased by hyaluronidase by 68.9 +/- 6.3% (p < 0.05) and by 0.5 AU plasmin (24 h) by 26.8 +/- 3.3% (p < 0.05). 0.9 AU of plasmin increased removal rates by 0.8 +/- 10% (n.s.), 15.4 +/- 6.3% (p < 0.05), 40.3 +/- 3.1% (p < 0.05), and 71.9 +/- 32.4% (p < 0.05) after 30 min, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h incubation respectively. The ratios of removal rates of treated/control eyes in the 0.9 AU groups showed a linear correlation with incubation time (r = 0.783, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION:

Intravitreal plasmin increases the rate of vitreous removal in rabbits.

• Authors: Martin Hermel, Jonathan Prenner, Motaz Alabdulrazzak, Wendy Dailey, Michael Hartzer
• Journal: Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie (Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol) Vol. 247 Issue 3 Pg. 331-4 (Mar 2009) ISSN: 1435-702X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 19034484 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fibrinolytic Agents
• Hyaluronoglucosaminidase
• Fibrinolysin

Topics

• Animals
• Fibrinolysin (administration & dosage)
• Fibrinolytic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Hyaluronoglucosaminidase (administration & dosage)
• Injections
• Microsurgery (methods)
• Rabbits
• Vitrectomy (instrumentation, methods)
• Vitreous Body (drug effects)