Prevention of experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy with a biodegradable intravitreal drug delivery system of all-trans retinoic acid.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antiproliferative effect of an all-trans retinoic acid (at-RA) drug delivery system (DDS) on experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).


METHODS
PVR was induced in rabbits with core vitrectomy and fibroblast injection. The DDS containing 420 microg, 650 microg, and 1,070 microg of at-RA was implanted into the vitreous of treated groups B, C, and D, respectively. Group A with no DDS and group E with nonmedicated DDS served as controls. The intravitreal at-RA concentration was measured with high-pressure liquid chromatography. The drug toxicity was evaluated histologically.


RESULTS
The severity of PVR was significantly reduced in groups C and D but not in groups A, B, and E. The drug release peaked at 6 weeks to 7 weeks. No signs of retinal toxicity were found in the DDS groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal implantation of at-RA DDS appears effective in inhibiting the development of PVR and is well tolerated in rabbit eyes.
Shandong Eye Institute, 5 Yanerdao Road, Qingdao 266-071, China.
Xiaoguang
X
Dong
Nan
N
Chen
Lixin
L
Xie
Shenguo
S
Wang
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004343:Drug Implants; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D011817:Rabbits; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D014821:Vitrectomy; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism
D004343:Drug Implants; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D014212:Tretinoin