title: Prevention of corneal neovascularization: comparison of different doses of subconjunctival bevacizumab with its topical form in experimental rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To compare the effect of different dosages of subconjunctival bevacizumab with its topical administration on preventing the development of corneal neovascularization (CNV) in a rat model of corneal chemical injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neovascularization was induced by pressing a 2-mm diameter alkaline-coated applicator on the central cornea of the right eye of 50 anesthetized male rats. Immediately after cauterization, rats were divided randomly into 5 groups. Groups 1-4 received a subconjunctival injection of 0.02 ml of normal saline (control) or 1, 5 and 25 mg/ml of bevacizumab, respectively. In the fifth group, topical bevacizumab was instilled daily for 7 consecutive days. After 7 days, digital photographs of the cornea were taken and the area of the neovascularized cornea was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of digital photographs showed that, compared with the controls, a single subconjunctival injection of at least 0.1 mg of bevacizumab (5 mg/ml) - immediately after corneal cauterization - effectively decreased CNV after 7 days. Injection of 25 mg/ml of bevacizumab in the fourth group increased the avascular area more than twofold, compared with the saline-treated group (32.2% compared with 15%, p < 0.001). This difference between groups 4 and 2 was statistically significant (p = 0.04). Although topical delivery of 25 mg/ml bevacizumab was effective to inhibit CNV (p = 0.004), the results were similar to those of the third group. Qualitative microscopic evaluation of the cornea was compatible with the gross findings, as bevacizumab-treated groups had less intense corneal vessel channels and inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both subconjunctival and topical bevacizumab can prevent CNV in rats.
authors.affiliation: Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Naser
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Hashemian
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Z-Mehrjardi
authors.forename: Sasan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moghimi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tahvildari
authors.forename: Hoda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mojazi-Amiri
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D056965:Injections, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D000068258:Bevacizumab