The anti-inflammatory effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab on chemically burned rat corneas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of bevacizumab in a model of corneal inflammation.


METHODS
Epithelium from the cornea and limbus was completely removed using 100% alcohol in rats. Bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) or normal saline was subconjunctivally injected. One week later, corneas were examined and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin and immunofluorescent staining for VEGF. Expression of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-6, and TGF-beta 1 were analyzed by ELISA.


RESULTS
Bevacizumab showed a borderline reduction in corneal neovascularization (11.0 +/- 4.8% and 18.0 +/- 10.0% in the bevacizumab and control groups, respectively; p = 0.054), while the extent of epithelialization was not affected (5.0 +/- 3.4% and 6.1 +/- 5.2% in the bevacizumab and control groups, respectively; p = 0.715). The infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced (99.3 +/- 22.3 cells/x 400 in the bevacizumab-injected corneas and 182.3 +/- 58.0 cells/x 400 in the controls; p = 0.013). The levels of IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-6 were decreased in the rats with the bevacizumab injections (44 +/- 6 and 79 +/- 9 pg/ml for IL-2 in the bevacizumab-injected group and control, respectively, p = 0.025; 45 +/- 5 and 67 +/- 6 pg/ml for IFN-gamma in the bevacizumab-injected group and controls, respectively, p = 0.043; 45 +/- 6 and 75 +/- 8 pg/ml for IL-6 in the bevacizumab-injected group and controls, respectively, p = 0.030).


CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab showed a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokines in chemically burned rat corneas.
Oh
Joo Youn
JY
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Mee Kum
MK
Shin
Mi Sun
MS
Lee
Hyun Ju
HJ
Lee
Jin Hak
JH
Wee
Won Ryang
WR
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003228:Conjunctiva; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D012997:Solvents; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000431:Ethanol