Abstract
Purpose :
Inhibitory effect of systemic administration of candesartan(CAN), angiotensin receptor blocker on experimental choroidal neovascularization has been reported. The purpose of the present study is to examine the inhibitory effect of locally administered CAN on experimental choroidal neovascularization.
Methods :
Laser photocoagulation was used to induce CNV in Brown Norway rat. The rats were pretreated with subconjunctival injection of CAN(1mg/kg) or PBS for 3 days before photocoagulation. The volume of CNV was evaluated 7days after laser injury by lectin staining technique. The infiltration of the macrophage within the CNV lesion was measured by immunofluorescent staining with anti-CD68 antibody. The mRNA expression levels of MCP-1, VEGF and IL1-β in retinal pigment epithelium were determined using real-time RT-PCR. All animal experiments were conducted in accordance with the ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research.
Results :
The index of CNV volume was significantly suppressed by treatment with CAN (48%) compared with that in vehicle-treated animals (p<0.05). The subconjunctival injection of CAN resulted in a reduction in number of CD68 positive cells in the CNV lesion.
The increase in mRNA levels of MCP-1, VEGF and IL1-β induced by photocoagulation was significantly suppressed by local administration of candesartan (p<0.05).
Conclusions :
Local administration of candesartan, angiotensin receptor antagonists, inhibited the experimental CNV via anti-inflammatory effects. The present study suggests the possibility of locally administered candesartan as a therapeutic strategy to suppress CNV associated with AMD.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.