Abstract
Purpose:
To date the treatment options for Choroidal neovascularization (CNV), the main cause of severe vision loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are limited. Minimally-invasive methods, such as repeated intravitreal injections of VEGF-inhibitors are mainly performed. We investigate the role of the nutritional supplement, oil palm phenolics (OPP), in CNV formation.
Methods:
To induce CNV, C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized and pupils were dilated. Using a 532-nm laser, four spots (100mW, 50µm, 100ms) were placed in each eye. Development of a bubble under laser confirmed the rupture of the Bruch’s membrane. One group received drinking water, whereas the other group drank a natural liquid containing oil palm phenolics ad libitum. 14 days after laser injury, the size of the CNV lesions was measured in choroidal flat mounts. The volume of the lesions was quantified, using confocal microscopy. On day 3 after laser injury 10μm frozen sections of the posterior segment were prepared. The sections were incubated with a mouse anti-F4/80 mAb (10μg/ml), and subsequently with the secondary antibody. Photomicrographs of the CNV lesions were taken and the number of F4/80 positive macrophages was counted.
Results:
14 days after laser injury, the mice fed with OPP showed a significant decrease in CNV size, compared with vehicle fed animals (n=4, 30 lesions per group, P<0.01). OPP significantly reduced the number of accumulated macrophages in CNV lesions (n=3, 24 lesions, P<0.01).
Conclusions:
OPP effectively suppresses laser-induced CNV and reduces macrophage recruitment to the lesions. Current results suggest OPP as an attractive nutritional supplement in the prevention and treatment of AMD.
Keywords: 412 age-related macular degeneration •
609 neovascularization •
424 antioxidants