Effect of topical epigallocatechin gallate on corneal neovascularization in rabbits.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) for the treatment of corneal neovascularization in a rabbit model.

METHODS:

Corneal neovascularization was induced in 12 rabbits by placing a black silk suture in the corneal stroma (24 eyes) for a week. After suturing, 1 randomly chosen eye of the 12 rabbits was treated with topical EGCG at 2 different concentrations: 0.01% (group 1) and 0.1% (group 2), whereas the contralateral eyes were treated with sterilized balanced salt solution as the control. All eye drops were applied for 2 weeks after suturing. The suture materials were removed from all eyes on day 7. The surface area of corneal neovascularization was measured and analyzed in all eyes on days 7 and 14. On day 14, all eyes were extracted to measure the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) messenger RNA and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein.

RESULTS:

The surface area of induced corneal neovascularization was significantly smaller only in group 2 compared with that of the control group on days 7 and 14 (P < 0.001). The change in surface area of corneal neovascularization after removal of the suture material was not significantly different between all 3 groups. VEGF messenger RNA levels were significantly lower in group 2 than in the control group (P < 0.001). The concentration of COX-2 was significantly lower in group 2 than in the control group (P = 0.043), but no significant difference was observed between group 1 and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Topical administration of EGCG effectively inhibits corneal neovascularization in rabbits. This inhibitory effect is probably related to the suppression of VEGF and COX-2 meditated angiogenesis.

• Authors: Chang Hyun Koh, Hyun Soo Lee, Sung Kun Chung
• Journal: Cornea (Cornea) Vol. 33 Issue 5 Pg. 527-32 (May 2014) ISSN: 1536-4798 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24608256 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Antioxidants
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• RNA, Messenger
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Catechin
• epigallocatechin gallate
• Cyclooxygenase 2

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Antioxidants (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Blotting, Western
• Catechin (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Cornea (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Corneal Neovascularization (metabolism, pathology, prevention & control)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Rabbits
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (genetics)