Inhibitory effect of polysulfated heparin endostatin on alkali burn induced corneal neovascularization in rabbits

• Published in: International journal of ophthalmology Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 234 - 238
• Main Authors: Li, Zhao-Na, Yuan, Zhong-Fang, Mu, Guo-Ying, Hu, Ming, Cao, Li-Jun, Zhang, Ya-Li, Liu, Lei, Ge, Ming-Xu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China International Journal of Ophthalmology Press 18.04.2015
• Subjects: Basic Research; burns; chemical; corneal; endostatin; heparin; neovascularization; polysulfated; rabbits; chemical burns; polysulfated heparin endostatin; rabbits; corneal neovascularization
• ISSN: 2222-3959; 2227-4898
• DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2015.02.04

AIM: To investigate anti-angiogenic effects of polysulfated heparin endostatin(PSH-ES) on alkali burn induced corneal neovascularization(NV) in rabbits.METHODS: An alkali burn was made on rabbit corneas to induce corneal NV in the right eye of 24 rabbits. One day after burn creation, a 0.2 m L subconjunctival injection of 50 μg/m L PSH-ES, 50 μg/m L recombinant endostatin(ES), or normal saline was administered every other day for a total of 14d(7 injections). Histology and immunohistochemisty were used to examine corneas.Corneal NV growth was evaluated as microvessel quantity and corneal vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression was measured by immunohistochemical assay.RESULTS: Subconjunctival injection of ES and PSHES resulted in significant corneal NV suppression, but PSH-ES had a more powerful anti-angiogenic effect than ES. Mean VEGF concentration in PSH-ES treated corneas was significantly lower than in ES treated and saline treated corneas. Histological examination showed that corneas treated with either PSH-ES or ES had significantly fewer microvessels than eyes treated with saline. Additionally corneas treated with PSH-ES had significantly fewer microvessels than corneas treated with ES.CONCLUSION: Both PSH-ES and recombinant ES effectively inhibit corneal NV induced by alkali burn.However, PSH-ES is a more powerful anti-angiogenic agent than ES. This research has the potential to provide a new treatment option for preventing and treating corneal NV.