[Suppression of retinal angiogenesis by quercetin in a rodent model of retinopathy of prematurity].

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether quercetin can suppress retinal angiogenesis in a rodent model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

ROP was induced in C57BL/6 mice by exposing 7-day-old mice to 75% oxygen (hyperoxia) for 5 days followed by 5 days in room air. Quercetin (20 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally from Days 12-17. Control group received an intraperitoneal dose of propylene glycol. At Day 17, the eyes were enucleated and retinae diseected for ADPase and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The severity of neovsascularization were graded as the number of clock hour of new vessel (NV) with a masked approach. The proliferative neovascular response was quantifled by counting the nuclei of new vessels extending from retina into vitreous in cross-sections. And vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The severity of NV decreased significantly in Quercetin treatment group versus control group (P<0.05). The number of endothelial cells of new vessels extending from retina to viueous decreased significantly in quercetin treatment group versus hyperoxia group (P<0.05). The retinal level of VEGF decreased significantly in quercetin treatment group.

CONCLUSION

Quercetin attenuates retinal angiogenesis so that it may become a potential preventive chemotherapy for ROP.