Effect of squalamine on iris neovascularization in monkeys

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of squalamine, an antiangiogenic aminosterol, in an experimental model of iris neovascularization. Iris neovascularization was created in cynomolgus monkeys by occluding retinal veins with an argon laser and inducing persistent hypotony with a central corneal suture. Twenty-four eyes were treated in three groups. In group 1, 4 eyes were injected intravitreally with 3 mug/0.1 ml squalamine and four eyes with balanced saline solution [controls] immediately after vein occlusion [day 1]; injections were repeated every three days for three weeks. In group 2, 1 mg/kg squalamine was administered with intravenous infusion in dextrose 5% in four animals; 4 control animals received only dextrose. Infusions began on day 1 and were repeated every 3 days for 3 weeks. In group 3, after the development of iris neovascularization on day 7, 1 mg/kg squalamine was injected systematically in 4 animals; 4 animals received dextrose 5%. Monkeys were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and underwent color photography and fluorescein angiography. The study concluded that intravitreally injected squalamine did not affect the development of iris revascularization; however, systemic squalamine injection inhibited the development of iris revascularization and caused a partial regression of new vessels in a primate model