Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effect of hydrazinocurcumin on a human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced corneal neovascularization in rabbit model.Methods: Murine corneal neovascularization (CorNV) was induced via two intrastromal implantations of VEGF polymer 2 mm from the limbus. Hydrazinocurcumin was administered topically on the cornea 4 times daily for 7 days. The therapeutic effects of hydrazinocurcumin were evaluated daily using slitlamp. At the end of the treatment, the corneas were harvested for H&E staining, masson trichrome staining, immuno-histochemical study, and semi quantification reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was utilized for measurement of inflammation-related molecules.Results: Topical application of hydrazinocurcumin had significant therapeutic effects on CorNV Hydrazinocurcumin extract treatment was more effective in suppressing CorNV in terms of vessel length and levels of cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) proteins or angiogenesis-related genes such as VEGF, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9). The average length of vessels in hydrazinocurcumin-treated group was only 17 % of that in the control group. Hydrazinocurcumin also inhibited inflammation more markedly by more effectively inhibiting mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell infiltration into the corneal stroma and reducing levels of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 (MIP3a). In addition, the corneas of hydrazinocurcumin group had a more regular and compact architecture of collagen with thinner corneal thickness than those of the untreated group.Conclusion: Hydrazinocurcumin inhibited human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced rabbit corneal neovascularization and thus can potentially be used for its treatment.Keywords: Hydrazinocurcumin, Corneal neovascularization, Inflammation, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Corneal thickness
Highlights
Corneal neovascularization is found in 4.1 % of patients visiting general ophthalmology sections in the United States of America [1]
Inhibitory effects of hydrazinocurcumin on the expression of genes associated with angiogenesis or inflammation in burned cornea mRNA level of angiogenesis-related factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) was significantly decreased compared to the animals of the untreated group
It is reported that corneal neovascularization induced through two intrastromal implantations of VEGF polymer is associated with corneal inflammation and resembles inflammatory corneal diseases [20,21]
Summary
Corneal neovascularization is found in 4.1 % of patients visiting general ophthalmology sections in the United States of America [1]. Study of structure-activity relationship for curcumin has led to the development of some more potent angiogenesis inhibitors like demethoxycurcumin (DC) and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) [15]. Modification of the phenolic hydroxyl or methoxy groups resulted in the development of some analogs with potent activity as Phase 2 detoxification enzymes and the inhibition of HIV1 integrase [18,19]. These findings revealed the importance of diketone moiety of curcumin in broad-range of biological activities. The secondary antibody used for SDF1 staining was rhodamine-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (Santa Cruz, CA, USA). Differences were considered significant statistically at p < 0.05
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call