Experimental Study On Inhibition Of Corneal Neovascularization With Artesunate In Rabbits

Objective:To investigate whether the Artesunate can inhibt corneal neovascularization(CNV) in rabbits induced by alkali burn,and explore its mechanism of action.Methods:Corneal neovascularization was induced by alkali burn .The experimental rabbits were divided into three groups:one group was used control,the others received subconjunctical injection of artesunate 0.3 mg and 0.6 mg for two weeks.To observe the corneal opacity and measure the length,area of corneal neovascularization under slit-lamp microscopy ; histopathologic changes with light microscope,ultramicrostructure's changes with transmission electron microscope and immunohistochemical analysis of VEGF.Results:1.There were abundant corneal neovascularizations in the control group,the neovascularization distributed derangemently and intensively.The corneal neovascularizations distributed regulately and rarely. Artesunate treatment groups showed shorter length of blood vessels and smaller area of blood vessels than control group(P<0.05) ,the corneal opacity is weakened obviously .2. fewer neovascularities, inflammatory cells and smaller caliber in artesunate treatment groups were observed under the microscope.3. The endochylema of the neovascularization's endothelial cell is abundant and nucleus of the neovascularization's endothelial cell is big in the control group under transmission electron microscope.The neovascularization's endothelial cell appearance immature and apomorphosis in the artesunate treatment group.4. The expression of VEGF in artesunate treatment groups were sinificiantly lower than control group (P<0.05).Positive staining for VEGF in control group was strong in corneal epithelium and stroma and The expression of VEGF in artesunate treatment groups was in corneal epithelium and sroma's superficical layer.The optical density of artesunate treatment groups is lower than control.Conlusions:1. The mean of alkali burn can induce corneal neovascularization.2. Inflammatory reaction and the expression of VEGF have intimate relationship with the formation of corneal neovascularization.3. The artesunate can lessen inflammatory reaction and inhibit the expression of VEGF.4. The artesunate can inhibit the formation of corneal neovascularization.