Antiangiogenic Effects of Retinoids on Corneal Neovascularization

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effect of topical application of retimids on the corneal neovascularization in the rat induced by chemical cauterization. The center of corneas of Wistar rats were Cauterized with a silver/potassium nitrate applicator for 5 seconds. And then they were treated topically with 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, 2.0% all-trans retimids (retinol, retinoic acid, retinaldehyde) and dimethyl sulfoxide as a control four times a day. After appiications of eye drops for 5 days, each rat was kined and then perfused with a mixture of 11% gelatin 10% India ink-lactated Ringer's solution. Corneal flat preparation were made, and then the percent of the corneal area occupied by blood vessels were analized by computerized image analyzer. Percent vascularization of 0.1% and 0.2% retnoids were not significantly different from control group(p>0.05). Percent vascu1arization of 0.5% retinaldehyde and all 2.0% retnoids were significantly lower than the contml group(p>0.5). These naturally occurring retinoids were effective in antiarlgiogenesis of rat cornea at relatively high concentrations (>0.5%), when treated topicany, It will be necessary to further study on more potent antiangiogenic, at lower concentration, synthetic retimids for the treatment of angiogenic diseases.