Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate a role of hyarulonan (HA), a key molecule for modulating inflammation, in the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
Methods: :
4-methylumbelliferone (MU), an HA synthesis inhibitor, was suspended in 1% Arabic gum. The suspension was orally administered by gastric tube every day at the dose of 0.33, 1.0 or 3.0 g/kg body weight (BW). Laser photocoagulation was performed to induce CNV. One week after photocoagulation, mice were sacrificed and CNV volume was evaluated by volumetric measurements.
Results: :
The development of CNV was significantly suppressed by the treatment with MU in a dose-dependent manner. MU-treated mice at the dose of 1.0 or 3.0 g/kg BW showed a significant (P<0.01) decrease in the CNV volume (308,468±163,530 µm3 for 1.0 g/kg BW, 256,696± 148,978 µm3 for 3.0 g/kg BW) compared with vehicle-treated mice (413,722±181,960 µm3).
Keywords: inflammation • age-related macular degeneration