Prolidase Enzyme Activity in Conjunctiva and Pterygium Tissues

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine prolidase activity in conjunctival tissue and its relationship with pterygium. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prolidase activity was measured in 23 pterygium and 25 healthy conjunctival tissues and the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS Prolidase enzyme activity could not be measured in either the healthy conjunctival or in pterygium tissues. The mean serum prolidase levels of the control and pterygium groups were 967.46±353.64 and 858.29±301.83, respectively. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to serum prolidase levels (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, absence of prolidase activity in pterygium tissue indicates that there is no collagen turnover in this tissue. We may explain this finding with the elastin-rich structure of the conjunctiva.