Pharmacological Interventions for Vascular Targeting in Retinopathy of Prematurity: An Experimental Study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacological interventions to target vascular proliferation in the Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

Protein Kinase C modulator (Bryostatin), tubulin polymerization inhibitor (Dolastatin 10), antiVEGF (Bevacizumab) and a non-specific VEGF inhibitor (Thalidomide) were screened in Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) model. The retinal vasculature was evaluated by calculating the tortuosity indices of vessels and electroretinography responses in terms of ‘b’ wave amplitude and was recorded from ROP rats on postnatal Day 17 and Day 25.

RESULTS

Retinopathy was seen in the form of tortousity of vessels at the posterior pole with arteries being affected more than veins. Maximum reduction in tortousity of vessels and the highest ‘b’ wave amplitude noted in bryostatin with a significant correlation between the two.

CONCLUSION

Bryostatin showed a potential anti-angiogenic effect on the progression of ROP and may hold a promising future in the treatment of ROP.