Figure 2

A representative western blot of MMP-1 and MMP-8 expression of supernatant samples from control (artificial tear) and the fluoroquinolone test groups. Corneas with debrided (OD) and intact (OS) epithelium were analyzed. 1. MW; 2. Tears OS; 3. Tears OD; 4. Ciprofloxacin OS; 5. Ciprofloxacin OD; 6. Ofloxacin OS; 7. Ofloxacin OD; 8. Levofloxacin OS; 9. Levofloxacin OD The molecular sizes of both MMPs were calculated based on a molecular weight standard and recorded in kilodaltons (kDa). The fluoroquinolone eye drops increased the expression of both metalloproteinases, MMP-1 (42 kDa) and of MMP-8 (64 kDa) in intact corneas; whereas, the expression of these MMPs was negative in the controls treated with artificial tears.