Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the inhibitory effect of pitavastatin administration on laser–induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the rat.
Methods: :
Experimental CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in male 6 weeks Brown Norway rats. The rats received 1mg/kg pitavastatin (n=14) in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (0.5%CMC) or vehicle (0.5%CMC only, n=14) by mouth once daily for 1day prior to laser–induced CNV, and continued for 14 days. Fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed 14 days after laser photocoagulation and the formation of CNV was graded by CNV score as follows: score 0, no staining; score 1, slightly leakage; score 2, moderately leakage; score3, strongly leakage. The CNV area was evaluated by FITC–dextran angiography 14 days after laser photocoagulation. Histopathologic examination was also performed to analyze the thickness of the CNV.
Results: :
The CNV lesions in pitavastatin treated rats showed statistically inhibition of fluorescein leakage by FA, as compared with vehicle treated rats (CNV score; 1.289±0.09 and 1.886±0.12, P<0.05). The mean CNV area in pitavastatin treated rats was smaller than the area in vehicle treated rats and there is a significant difference (29511±2853µm2 and 41235±2475µm2 , P<0.05). The thickness of the CNV in pitavastatin treated rats was also decreased, as compared with vehicle treated rats.
Conclusions: :
Pitavastatin inhibits the experimental CNV in the rat. Statin may have a therapeutic effect on age–related macular disease.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • age-related macular degeneration • drug toxicity/drug effects