Comparison of the inhibitory effect of topical cyclosporine A 0.1% and topical anti-VEGF application in an experimental model of corneal neovascularization.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of topical cyclosporine 0.1% and bevacizumab on experimentally induced corneal neovascularization in a rat model.

METHODS:

A total of 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experimental study. The central cornea of the rats was cauterized chemically. The rats were randomly enrolled into three groups as follows: Group 1 received bevacizumab 1%, Group 2 received cyclosporine 0.1%, and Group 3 received isotonic saline twice a day for 28 days. Slit-lamp examination of all rats was performed at the 3rd and 28th day. The rats were then sacrificed, and the corneas were excised. The number of blood vessels, state of inflammation, and collagen formation were evaluated histopathologically in the corneal sections.

RESULTS:

Corneal opacity and edema grades were significantly lower in Group 2 than in Group 3 (p=0.04 and 0.00, respectively). In the histopathological examination, Group 2 demonstrated significantly lesser number of blood vessels than Group 3 (p=0.001). Regarding collagen formation, Group 2 exhibited more regular collagen formation than Groups 1 and 3 (p=0.03). Inflammation grades were significantly lower in Groups 1 and 2 than in Group 3 (p=0.014 and 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

Topical bevacizumab is effective in inhibiting newly formed corneal neovascularization. The topical cyclosporine 0.1% treatment appears to be more effective than the topical bevacizumab treatment.

• Authors: Döndü Melek Ulusoy, Nisa Kahraman, Esra Balcıoğlu, Zeynep Duru
• Journal: Arquivos brasileiros de oftalmologia (Arq Bras Oftalmol) 2022 Jan-Feb Vol. 85 Issue 1 Pg. 19-24 ISSN: 1678-2925 [Electronic] Brazil
• PMID: 34586225 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Cyclosporine

Topics

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Corneal Neovascularization (drug therapy)
• Cyclosporine (therapeutic use)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley