Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare the percent reduction from control in the size of experimentally-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rat eyes treated with intravitreal Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (anakinra) in differing concentrations versus differing dosage regimens.
Methods: :
Laser photocoagulation was used to rupture Bruch’s membrane in both groups. In group 1, the rats were assigned to subgroups of varying concentrations; while in group 2, the rats were assigned to subgroups based on varying frequency of intravitreal anakinra. At day 30, digital angiography was used to measure the CNV area. The percent reduction of CNV area was calculated for each subgroup against its control. Pair-wise comparisons were conducted to assess for statistically significant differences between subgroups. A linear regression was also conducted in each group to assess the impact of total dosage on percent reduction.
Results: :
With the exception of the lowest concentration subgroup in group 1, all other treatment subgroups in both groups 1 and 2 showed statistically significant reduction of CNV area versus control (p < 0.001). The linear regression analysis suggested a more sensitive relationship of percent reduction compared to total dosage in group 1 than in group 2. However, this relationship was not demonstrated to be statistically significant in this study.
Conclusions: :
IL-1 receptor antagonists effectively reduce the growth of choroidal neovascularization in the animal model. It provides a hopeful pharmacologic alternative in the treatment of exudative macular degeneration.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • age-related macular degeneration • vascular endothelial growth factor