The Anti-inflammatory Effect of Subconjunctival Bevacizumab on Chemically Burned Rat Corneas

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of bevacizumab in a model of corneal inflammation. Materials and Methods: Epithelium from the cornea and limbus was completely removed using 100% alcohol in rats. Bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) or normal saline was subconjunctivally injected. One week later, corneas were examined and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin and immunofluorescent staining for VEGF. Expression of IL-2, IFN-, IL-6, and TGF- 1 were analyzed by ELISA. Results: Bevacizumab showed a borderline reduction in corneal neovascularization (11.0 4.8% and 18.0 10.0% in the bevacizumab and control groups, respectively; p = 0.054), while the extent of epithelialization was not affected (5.0 3.4% and 6.1 5.2% in the bevacizumab and control groups, respectively; p = 0.715). The infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced (99.3 22.3 cells/ 400 in the bevacizumab-injected corneas and 182.3 58.0 cells/ 400 in the controls; p = 0.013). The levels of IL-2, IFN-, and IL-6 were decreased in the rats with the bevacizumab injections (44 6 and 79 9 pg/ml for IL-2 in the bevacizumab-injected group and control, respectively, p = 0.025; 45 5 and 67 6 pg/ml for IFN- in the bevacizumab-injected group and controls, respectively, p = 0.043; 45 6 and 75 8 pg/ml for IL-6 in the bevacizumab-injected group and controls, respectively, p = 0.030). Conclusions: Bavacizumab showed a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokines in chemically burned rat corneas.