Abstract: Objective To study the effect of matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor GM6001 in suppressing scar tissue formation in
the filtering passage after glaucoma filtration surgery. Methods Twenty-four pigmented rabbits (48 eyes) underwent
trabeculectomy followed by subconjunctival injection of GM6001 in the right eye (treated eyes) and injection of PBS in the left
eye (control) once a day. The intraocular pressure was monitored postoperatively and proliferating cell nuclear antigen
(PCNA)- and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive cells in the filtering pathway were detected using
immunohistochemistry. Results On postoperative days 7, 14, 21, and 28, the intraocular pressure was significantly lower in the
treated eyes (GM6001) than in the control eyes (P<0.01). The counts of PCNA- and α-SMA-positive cells were also significantly
lowered in the treated than in the control eyes (P<0.01). Conclusion GM6001 can inhibit excessive proliferation of the
fibroblasts in the filtering pathway to suppress scar tissue formation and prolong the existence of the functional filtration bleb
in rabbits.