title: The effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization, inflammation and re-epithelization in a rabbit model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of subconjunctival bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization in an experimental rabbit model for its effect on vessel extension, inflammation, and corneal epithelialization.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, randomized, blinded, experimental study, 20 rabbits were submitted to a chemical trauma with sodium hydroxide and subsequently divided into two groups. The experimental group received a subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (0.15 m; 3.75 mg), and the control group received an injection of 0.15 ml saline solution. After 14 days, two blinded digital photograph analyses were conducted to evaluate the inflammation/diameter of the vessels according to pre-established criteria. A histopathological analysis of the cornea evaluated the state of the epithelium and the number of polymorphonuclear cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A concordance analysis using Kappa's statistic showed a satisfactory level of agreement between the two blinded digital photography analyses. The neovascular vessel length was greater in the control group (p<0.01) than in the study group. However, the histopathological examination revealed no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the state of the epithelium and the number of polymorphonuclear cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subconjunctival bevacizumab inhibited neovascularization in the rabbit cornea. However, this drug was not effective at reducing inflammation. The drug did not induce persistent corneal epithelial defects.
authors.affiliation: Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA. glaucohrm@gmail.com
authors.forename: Glauco Reggiani
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Marcos Longo
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pizzolatti
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wasilewski
authors.forename: Marcony R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Santhiago
authors.forename: Vinícius
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Budel
authors.forename: Hamilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moreira
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications; D002424:Caustics; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000150:complications; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D056965:Injections, Intraocular; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002424:Caustics; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide