Endogenous hyaluronan in the normal and traumatized rabbit iris.

PURPOSE

Hyaluronan concentration in the iris tissue after iridectomy was studied in order to establish the influence of trauma on the production of hyaluronan in the anterior chamber of the eye and whether the iris participates in this process or not.

METHOD

Hyaluronan was measured with a radiometric assay at different time points after surgery and identified with specific histochemical staining.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The concentration of hyaluronan in iris tissue peaked two days after surgery, reaching an average of 115.3 (S.E.M.:+/-12.2) microg/g. It then decreased slowly to almost normal values after 3 to 5 weeks. Histochemistry demonstrated the most intense hyaluronan staining in the iris stroma and in iridial processes around the iridectomy two days after the operation. Our findings indicate in situ synthesis of hyaluronan in the iris tissue.