The Inhibitory Effect of Polysaccharides on Cultured Pterygium Fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVES

Pterygium recurrence after removal surgery is an important problem. Polysaccharides obtained from Capparis species have been shown to possess various biological properties, including anti-tumor activity. This study was an investigation of the effect of polysaccharides on cultured pterygium fibroblasts and a comparison with the effects of mitomycin C (MMC).

METHODS

Pterygium tissue samples were obtained during excision surgery from 3 patients with primary pterygium, and fibroblasts were isolated. Pterygium fibroblast cultures and L929 cell cultures were treated with different concentrations of MMC and polysaccharides. Cell proliferation and migration were evaluated.

RESULTS

An MTT assay revealed that cell viability decreased with increasing concentrations of polysaccharides in both cell types. MMC also inhibited the proliferation of both cell types. A scratch-wound assay indicated that both polysaccharides and MMC molecules reduced proliferation and migration in the pterygium fibroblasts and L929 cells.

CONCLUSION

The in vitro polysaccharide inhibition of proliferation and migration of pterygium fibroblasts was similar to that of MMC. The results of this study suggested that polysaccharides may be a valuable candidate drug to treat pterygium.