Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the inhibitory effects of different VAP-1 inhibitor molecules, compared to that of bevacizumab (Avastin) on a rabbit model of corneal neovascularization.
Methods: :
New Zealand albino rabbits (n=15) were anesthetized and neovascularization was induced by placing three sutures intrastromally in the right corneas. Then, the animals were randomly divided into different treatment groups. Group 1, as a control group, received vehicle (sterile castor oil), group 2 was treated with bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF antibody, group 3 was treated with a specific VAP-1 inhibitor (LJP-1207) via topical administration, three times a day, during three weeks. The extent of newly developed vessels was measured in the proportion of total corneal area by digital photograph analyses. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis, and the differences between the groups were evaluated using Mann-Whitney-U test.
Results: :
At the first week after suture placement, considering the proportional area of neovascularization of total corneal surface, significant differences were observed between bevacizumab and control (p=0.014) and VAP-1 inhibitor and control groups (p=0.04), besides, there was no significant difference between the effects of bevacizumab and VAP-1 inhibitor (p=0.14).
Conclusions: :
We have demonstrated the inhibitory effects on corneal neovascularization of a VAP-1 inhibitor and bevacizumab. VAP-1 inhibitor as a potent antiangiogenic agent, might be used in the treatment of corneal neovascularization in the future.
Keywords: neovascularization