[Model of inflammatory angiogenesis in rabbit cornea induced by punctual alkaline cauterization].

PURPOSE: To establish a model of angiogenesis in rabbit cornea induced by punctual alkaline cauterization.

METHODS

Six rabbits were submitted to punctual cauterization in right cornea. It was used a circular piece (3 mm) of filter paper, that was previously soaked in 1 M NaOH and placed 1 mm from the superior limbus for 2 minutes. The animals were evaluated at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 days after cauterization. Quantification of angiogenesis was performed according to 4 methods: radial vessel length (V), angiogenic index (I), area of the triangle (T) and area of the circular band sector (S), which provide an approximation of the area of neovascularization.

RESULTS

The analysis of the quantitative data of angiogenesis showed that neovascular response progressed in a biphasic manner: rising between days 0 and 12 (proliferation), stable between days 12 and 21 (maturation). This pattern was observed on the values of the vascular growth mean rate. Between days 0 and 12, it was 16 times greater than that verified between days 12 and 21. It was found a statiscally significant positive linear correlation among the 4 methods of measurement of angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

The punctual alkaline cauterization of the rabbit cornea induces and sustains corneal neovascularization, so that, it can be used as model of angiogenesis.