Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine the antiangiogenic effects of curcumin on experimental, laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in pigmented rats. Methods: CNV was laser induced in one eye each of 44 pigmented rats, 10 lesions in each eye. Thirty of these eyes were randomized into 3 groups of 10 each: control (untreated), curcumin-treated (20 mg/kg), and vehicle (DMSO)-treated. Curcumin-treated and vehicle-treated rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of the respective agent. Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) was performed 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the laser procedure to evaluate the incidence of CNV formation. The remaining 14 eyes were examined histologically (light microscopy) and by SLO on days 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 56 after the laser procedure to confirm the development of CNV in eyes with fluorescein leakage. Results: Fluorescein leakage was seen by SLO in 68% of the lesions, 14 days after laser induction. In the 14 eyes examined histologically, CNV was identified in all lesions that showed fluorescein leakage.On days 14 and 21 after the laser procedure, CNV was found to be significantly inhibited (fewer lesions) in eyes treated with intraperitoneal injection of curcumin (p<0.001), compared to eyes treated with vehicle and untreated eyes. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal curcumin inhibits choroidal angiogenesis in this experimental model of laser-induced CNV in pigmented rats.
Keywords: 308 age-related macular degeneration • 333 Bruch's membrane • 483 neovascularization