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Effect of bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization in experimental rabbit model
Author(s) -
Ahmed Abdulgani,
Berati Hasanreisoglu,
Nalan Akyurek,
Aylin Sepici
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2009.02112.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bevacizumab , corneal neovascularization , ophthalmology , rabbit (cipher) , neovascularization , surgery , angiogenesis , chemotherapy , statistics , mathematics
A bstract Purpose: To investigate the effect of bevacizumab in an experimental rabbit model of corneal neovascularization. Methods: The right eyes of 24 white New Zealand rabbits were included in a corneal neovascularization model using alkaline burn. They were divided into four groups. Topical bevacizumab was installed three times daily in group 1, 5 mg bevacizumab subconjunctivally every 2 days in group 2, 10 mg bevacizumab subconjunctivally every 2 days in group 3 and 0.2 cc of normal saline in the same way in group 4 (control group). All eyes were treated for 7 days. Then the animals were killed and corneal specimens sent for histopathological analysis. Tear film and aqueous humour samples were obtained to assess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Results: Seven days after topical bevacizumab treatment the neovascular index in group 1 was lower than that in the control group ( P = 0.028). In groups 2 and 3 the neovascular index was lower 2 days after subconjunctival bevacizumab treatment than that in control group ( P = 0.009 and P = 0.009, respectively). In the control group the VEGF level in aqueous humour increased by 66% from day 7 to 14. In groups 1–3 it decreased by 49.80%, 70.20% and 76.44%, respectively ( P = 0.043). The VEGF level in tear film of the control group increased by 35.23% from day 7 to 14, which was not significant ( P = 0.893), while in groups 1–3 it decreased by 57.26%, 34.59% and 67.97%, respectively, which was only significant in groups 1 and 3 ( P = 0.043). Conclusions: Subconjunctival 5 mg/mL bevacizumab is effective in reducing corneal neovascularization in animal models and in reducing VEGF levels. Further research is needed to assess the potential side effects and minimal effective dose.