Abstract
Purpose: :
Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been previously studied on inflammatory corneal angiogenesis in experimental models. However, eterocoxib, COX type-2 inhibitor, has not been yet studied, according to our knowledge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of eterocoxib on inflammatory corneal angiogenesis.
Methods: :
Sixteen male New Zealand albino rabbits were submitted to a punctual cauterization in the superior periphery of the right cornea using a circular piece of filter paper, 3 mm of diameter, soaked in NaOH 1M solution. The animals were randomly allocated into three groups: Control (cornstarch, n=6); Prednisone (2mg/Kg, n=5); and Eterocoxib (20mg/Kg, n=5). Drugs were administrated orally in gelatin capsules once a day using an appropriate applicator during 21 days. It was done evaluations on days 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21, post cauterization. During these days, it was captured digital images of the cornea in a standard fashion. Angiogenic response was measured using software which was developed specifically for this purpose. It calculated the following parameters: Neovascularization Area (NA); Total Vascular Length (TVL); Blood Vessels Number (BVN). The inhibitory effect of each treatment in relation to control was calculated at day 21, according to NA parameter.
Results: :
In this model, angiogenic response followed a biphasic pattern: Proliferation (between days 0 and 12) and Maturation (from days 12 to 21). Compared to control group, the inhibitor effect of prednisone and eterocoxib was 82.89% and 58.99%, respectively. During all evaluations, the three parameters NA (p<0.01), TVL (p<0.01), and BVN (p<0.01) measured on prednisone group were significantly lower than control. Thus, prednisone fully inhibited inflammatory corneal angiogenesis. However, the inhibitory effect of eterocoxib, considering the three parameters, started on day 15 (p<0.05) and was intensified on 18 (p<0.01) and 21 (p<0.01).
Conclusions: :
Eterocoxib inhibits partially inflammatory corneal angiogenesis, mainly during the second half of angiogenic process.
Keywords: cornea: basic science • neovascularization • inflammation