Published in:
01-11-2013 | Basic Science
Inhibitory effects of topical cyclosporine A 0.05 % on immune-mediated corneal neovascularization in rabbits
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 11/2013
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Background
We aimed to study the inhibitory effects of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) 0.05 % on immune-mediated corneal neovascularization, and to compare its efficacy with those of dexamethasone 0.1 % and bevacizumab 0.5 %.
Methods
Immune-mediated corneal neovascularization was created in 36 right eyes of 36 rabbits. The rabbits were then randomized into four groups. Group I received CsA 0.05 %, Group II received dexamethasone 0.1 %, Group III received bevacizumab 0.5 %, and Group IV received isotonic saline twice a day for 14 days. The corneal surface covered with neovascular vessels was measured on the photographs. The rabbits were then sacrificed and the corneas excised. Paraffin-embedded sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay.
Results
The means of percent area of corneal neovascularization in Group I, II, III, and IV were 24.4 %, 5.9 %, 37.1 %, and 44.1 %, respectively. The inhibitory effect of CsA 0.05 % was found to be better than the effect found in the bevacizumab 0.5 % and control groups (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). CsA 0.05 % was found to have significantly lesser inhibitory effects on corneal neovascularization than dexamethasone 0.1 % (p < 0.001). Apoptotic cell density was higher in Group III and Group IV than in Group I and Group II. There was no difference between Group I and Group II in terms of apoptotic cell density (p = 0.7).
Conclusions
Topical CsA 0.05 % was shown to have an inhibitory effect on immune-mediated corneal neovascularization in rabbits.