The effect of doxycycline temperature-sensitive hydrogel on inhibiting the corneal neovascularization induced by BFGF in rats.
BACKGROUND
To study the effect of doxycycline temperature-sensitive hydrogel (DTSH) on inhibiting the corneal neovascularization (NV) induced by the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).


METHODS
Corneal NV was induced by slow-release polymer pellets containing bFGF, using a rat corneal pocket model. After being implanted with bFGF pellets, the female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (12 rats/group). The grouped rats were given topically normal saline solution and neutralized DTSH at a concentration of 0%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% respectively, and treated for 6 consecutive days. After 6 days of treatment, the cornea was perfused with India ink. The length and area of the corneal vessel were measured and analyzed by Image Pro-Plus 5.1.


RESULTS
Compared to the control group given saline solution, the study groups given DTSH at a concentration of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% showed significant reduction in the vessel length (respectively, 58%, 60%, 52%, and 37%) and the vessel area (respectively, 61%, 62%, 49%, and 39%) (p < 0.001). However, no such significant reduction was observed in the study group given 0.01% DTSH (p = 0.133 and 0.166 for vessel length and area respectively). Study groups given 0.05% and 0.1% DTSH showed better effects than groups given 0.01% and 1% DTSH with regard to reducing the vessel length and the vessel area (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The study results showed that topical DTSH effectively inhibited corneal NV at the ideal concentration of 0.05% and 0.1%. Therefore, topical DTSH could be considered as an alternative treatment for the clinical management of corneal NV.
Su
Wenru
W
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 Xianlie South Road, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
Li
Zhanrong
Z
Lin
Miaoli
M
Li
Yongping
Y
He
Zixin
Z
Wu
Chuanbin
C
Liang
Dan
D
D000073738:2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin; D000287:Administration, Topical; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013696:Temperature; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D020442:Poloxamer; D000073738:2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin; D004318:Doxycycline