Título / Title

INVESTIGATION OF THE ANTIANGIOGENIC EFFECT OF INTRAVITREAL CURCURMIN IN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF PROLIFERATIVE RETINOPATHY

Introdução / Purpose

To investigate the antiangiogenic effect of 0.1mg and 0.3 mg of intravitreal curcumin in an experimental model of proliferative retinopathy after intravitreal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF 165).

Material e Método / Methods

A prospective, experimental, interventional study. Six pigmented rabbits (chinchilla breed) underwent an intravitreal injection of VEGF 165 in their right eye and balanced salt solution (BSS) in the left eye (control). In group 1, rabbits received a 0.1mg curcumin intravitreal injection at day 7 and in group 2, rabbits received 3.0mg curcumin intravitreal injection at day 7. At baseline, clinical examination included anterior biomicroscopy, fundus exam, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), full-field electroretinogram (ERG) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). All exams were repeated during follow-up at week 1 and 2. In the second week after VEGF 165 injection, the rabbits were euthanized and all eyes were sent to histological evaluation.

Resultados / Results

Seven days after intravitreal injection of VEGF 165, all eyes developed neovascularization of the retina. Intravitreal curcumin reduced neovascularization in all eyes at week 1 after the injection. SD-OCT and ERG responses were normal for both groups when compared to baseline and to the control eye. Histological evaluation showed no retinal major alterations in both groups.

Discussão e Conclusões / Conclusion

Intravitreal curcumin may be effective in the treatment of experimental retinal neovascularization in animal model.

Palavras Chave

curcumin, natural drug, antiangiogenic effect.