Abstract
Purpose: :
We reported that retinal scatter laser photocoagulation induced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the sensory retina and the retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE)-choroid at an early period (Itaya M, et al. 2007). Recently, a new semi-automated photocoagulator, patterned scanning laser photocoagulator (PASCAL®) was developed (Blumenkranz MS, et al. 2006). The purpose of this study is to compare the expression pattern of VEGF in murine retina between PASCAL® and conventional laser treatment.
Methods: :
Retinal scatter laser photocoagulation was performed on C57BL/6J mice using PASCAL® laser (group P) or a conventional laser (group C). The eyes were enucleated 3, 7 days after laser treatment. The level of VEGF in the sensory retina and the RPE-choroid was quantified by ELISA. The expression pattern of VEGF in the sensory retina and the RPE-choroid was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry.
Results: :
Three days after laser treatment, the VEGF levels in the sensory retina and the RPE-choroid significantly increased in both the group P and the group C (vs control; P<0.01). However, the VEGF exression in the group P was significantly less than that in group C (P<0.05) in the sensory retina. There was no significant difference in the level of VEGF between the group P and the group C in the RPE-choroid. Histological observations revealed that the inner retina in the group P was less affected compared to the group C.
Conclusions: :
We have shown that PASCAL® laser induced less VEGF induction in the sensory retina compared to conventional laser treatment. PASCAL® laser may prevent macular edema after panretinal photocoagulation.
Keywords: laser • vascular endothelial growth factor