[The effect of steroids on organ-cultured porcine trabecular meshwork--an ultrastructural, biochemical, and lectin histochemical study].

The effect of corticosteroid administration on porcine trabecular meshwork (PTM) was studied by ultrastructural and biochemical analysis. Electron microscopic observations showed an increase of elastic fibers in PTM treated with steroids. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with silver staining showed an increase of proteins with molecular weights of 52 kDa, 66 kDa and 70 kDa. The 66 kDa protein was assumed to be a glycoprotein containing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, as it was stained positively in the lectin blot analysis with Triticum vulgaris (WGA) and Datura stramonium (DSA). The elastic fibers reacted positively to WGA and DSA, and the degree of this reaction was strengthened by steroid treatment. These results demonstrated that steroid treatment induces ultrastructural and biochemical changes in PTM, and an increase of elastic fibers containing glycoprotein with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.