title: Effect of aspirin on models of retinal pigment epithelium pathology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To characterize the effect of aspirin (ASA) in mouse models of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and retinal degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo: Male C57BL/6 mice were given ASA in food or regular rodent diet. CNV was induced by argon laser photocoagulation. Subretinal injections of polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) were administered to induce retinal degeneration. CNV size, laser spot area and mean intensity of VEGF in the laser injured zones were measured. In the PEG injected eyes the thickness of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid was measured. In vitro: Human ARPE-19 cells were treated with 0.5 or 2.0 mM/L of ASA for 72 h. ELISA was used to measure the concentration of VEGF and CCL-2 in the supernatants. Additionally, damaged RPE monolayer was treated with ASA (0.5 or 2.0 mM/L) and vehicle separately. Size of damaged area was measured. ELISA was used to measure secretion of VEGF-A and CCL-2 by damaged cells after 24 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant effect of ASA on CNV size, laser spot size or VEGF expression was noted in CNV model. In the PEG model, ASA did not have any effect on RPE and choroid thickness; however, a significant increase in RPE atrophy was observed (P = 0.02 + 38%). In addition, ASA had a significant effect on the ability of the RPE cells to regenerate and become confluent after mechanical damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ASA at doses consumed clinically for various medical causes may not worsen CNV in human subjects. However, ASA may increase RPE atrophy when consumed over long periods of time.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. sgoyal@uams.edu.
authors: Sunali
authors: S
authors: Goyal
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
authors: Valeriy V
authors: VV
authors: Lyzogubov
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
authors: Omair
authors: O
authors: Ali
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
authors: Puran S
authors: PS
authors: Bora
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
authors: Nalini S
authors: NS
authors: Bora
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
authors: Sami H
authors: SH
authors: Uwaydat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004032:Diet; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D001241:Aspirin
keywords: aspirin; choroidal neovascularization; retinal degeneration