RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of butyrylchitosan on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen ( PCNA) in fibroblast proliferation of rabbit eyes after filtering operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 12 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in one group received butyrylchitosan under scleral patch of trabeculectomy in right eyes and trabeculectomy in left eyes (trabeculectomy group). Rabbits in the other group received mitomycin C (MMC) in trabeculectomy in right eyes (MMC group) and without operation in left eyes. Rabbits were killed 1, 4, and 12 weeks after operations. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detected PCNA expression in fibroblast.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After use of butyrylchitosan, the PCNA expression significantly decreased compared with trabeculectomy group (P < 0. 001). PCNA expression in MMC group was significantly lower than in trabeculectomy group (P <0. 001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Using butyrylchitosan under scleral patch of trabeculectomy decreases PCNA expression in proliferating cell and inhibits the scarring at filtering site.</p>