Effects of sunitinib and bevacizumab on VEGF and miRNA levels on corneal neovascularization.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of sunitinib (0.5 mg/ml) and bevacizumab (5 mg/ml) on VEGF-A, VEGFR-2 and microRNA (miRNA) levels on corneal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: In this study, CNV was induced by silver nitrate application to the cornea, and 40 Albino male rats were equally divided into four subgroups: Group 1 (sunitinib): After silver nitrate application to the cornea, 0.5 mg/ml sunitinib eyedrop was administered twice daily for two weeks (n = 10). Group 2 (bevacizumab): After silver nitrate application to the cornea, 5 mg/ml bevacizumab eyedrop was administered twice daily for two weeks (n = 10). Group 3 (control): After silver nitrate application to the cornea, normal saline eyedrop was administered twice daily for two weeks (n = 10). Group 4 (vehicle): After silver nitrate application to the cornea, 1% DMSO eyedrop was administered twice daily for two weeks (n = 10). After two weeks from the silver nitrate application, corneas were evaluated by hand-held biomicroscope for their vascularization status. Then, corneas were excised and the expression levels of VEGFR-2, VEGF-A and the common miRNA markers for neovascularization (miR-15 b, miR-16, miR-23a, miR-126, miR-188, miR-210, miR-221, miR-222, miR-410 and miR-423) were evaluated by real-time PCR. RESULTS: It was seen that the CNV was decreased in sunitinib- and bevacizumab-administered groups compared to the control and DMSO groups. Also, in comparison with the control group; VEGF-A expression was downregulated by nearly 0.75 times in sunitinib group and nearly 0.52 times in bevacizumab group. VEGFR-2 expression was downregulated by 0.89 times in sunitinib group and 0.68 times in bevacizumab group, compared to the control group. miR-15 b, miR-16 and miR-126 levels were statistically lower in sunitinib and bevacizumab groups, but miR-188 and miR-410 levels were two-fold higher compared to the control group. The miR-210 level was found higher only in sunitinib group compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant changes in miR-23a, miR-221, miR-222 and miR-423 levels among the groups. CONCLUSION: Topical application of bevacizumab (5 mg/ml) and sunitinib (0.5 mg/ml) decreases the levels of VEGFR-2 and VEGF-A in CNV. Further studies are needed for detailed analysis of genes which are targeted by up- or downregulated miRNAs in this study.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Connected to Treatment Options and Inflammation Markers of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, white blood cells (WBCs) and their subtypes have been studied in relation to inflammation. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled a total of 177 patients, 96 AS and 81 healthy controls. Complete blood count, WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte levels were measured, and the NLR was calculated. In the assessment of AS, we used the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index. RESULTS: In the present study, 96 AS and 81 healthy individuals were enrolled. The mean age was 43.8 ± 12.9 and 46.5 ± 11.2 years, respectively. Mean disease duration of AS patients was 6.9 ± 5.6 years (median = 5, min-max = 1-25). The patients with AS had a higher NLR than the control individuals (mean NLR, 2.24 ± 1.23 and 1.73 ± 0.70, respectively, P < 0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between NLR and CRP (r = 0.322, P = 0.01). The patients receiving antitumor necrosis factor α therapy had a lower NLR than the patients receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy (mean NLR, 1.71 ± 0.62 and 2.41 ± 1.33, respectively, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: NLR may be seen as a useful marker for demonstrating inflammation together with acute phase reactants such as CRP and in evaluating the effectiveness of anti-TNF-α therapy.