Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy of topical application of epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) for the treatment of corneal neovascularization in a rabbit model.
Methods:
Corneal neovascularization was induced in 12 rabbits by placing a black silk suture in the corneal stroma (24 eyes) for a week. After suturing, one randomly chosen eye of the 12 rabbits were treated with topical epigallocatechin gallate at two different concentrations: 0.01% (group 1) and 0.1% (group 2) while the contralateral eyes were treated with sterilized balanced salt solution as the control. All eye drops were applied twice daily for 2 weeks after suturing. The surface area of corneal neovascularization was measured and analyzed in all eyes on days 7 and 14. On day 14, all eyes were extracted to measure the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in the corneal tissue.
Results:
Corneal neovascularization was induced in 12 rabbits by placing a black silk suture in the corneal stroma (24 eyes) for a week. After suturing, one randomly chosen eye of the 12 rabbits were treated with topical epigallocatechin gallate at two different concentrations: 0.01% (group 1) and 0.1% (group 2) while the contralateral eyes were treated with sterilized balanced salt solution as the control. All eye drops were applied twice daily for 2 weeks after suturing. The surface area of corneal neovascularization was measured and analyzed in all eyes on days 7 and 14. On day 14, all eyes were extracted to measure the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in the corneal tissue.
Conclusions:
Topical administration of EGCG effectively inhibits corneal neovascularization in rabbits. This inhibitory effect is probably related to the suppression of VEGF and COX-2 meditated angiogenesis.
Keywords: 480 cornea: basic science •
482 cornea: epithelium