When rats' eye tissue was treated with an enzyme that breaks down collagen, the stiffness of the outer part of the eye decreased by almost 40% compared to normal.

Scientific Claim

In rat peripapillary sclera tissue, MMP-1 enzyme treatment is associated with a 38.3% decrease in Young's modulus compared to baseline.

Original Statement

“MMP-1 significantly reduced the Young’s modulus by 38.3% (Figure 1C, Table 1), indicating diminished tissue stiffness.”

From study:Collagen Mimetic Peptides Promote Repair of MMP-1-Damaged Collagen in the Rodent Sclera and Optic Nerve Head

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study design is treated as non-causal evidence per GRADE analysis, so using 'associated with' is appropriate. The specific percentage change is accurately reported from the data.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Collagen Mimetic Peptides Promote Repair of MMP-1-Damaged Collagen in the Rodent Sclera and Optic Nerve Head

Cohort Study

Animal

2023 Dec 1

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Collagen Mimetic Peptides Promote Repair of MMP-1-Damaged Collagen in the Rodent Sclera and Optic Nerve Head

Score: 12

DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317031

Similar Assertions

After damaging the eye tissue with enzymes, adding a saline solution (vehicle) made the stiffness drop even more by about 26% compared to the damaged state.

87%

After damaging the eye tissue with collagen-breaking enzymes, applying a special peptide helped restore some stiffness, increasing it by about 23% compared to the damaged state.

79%

In the inner part of the eye's optic nerve head, collagen-breaking enzymes caused a 57% drop in stiffness compared to normal.

75%