The Effect Of COX-2 Inhibitor NS-398 On Inflammation-associated Corneal Neovascularization

Objective To investigate anti-angiogenesis effects of COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 eye drops on corneal neovascularization (CNV) in rabbits induced by alkali burn.Methods The models of CNV were induced in both eyes of 36 rabbits by alkali burn. Animals were randomly divided into 3 groups. The treatment groups received topical NS-398 eye drops with 10 μmol/L and 50 μmol/L four times a day, while the control received 0.9% sodium chloride solution in the same way. The occurrence and development of CNV was observed every day by slit-lamp microscope, and the areas of CNV were calculated. Immunohistochemistry S-P method was used to measure the expression of COX-2 and VEGF in corneas of different times after cautery with alkali.Results At different times, the CNV areas of treatment groups were smaller than the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the expression of COX-2 and VEGF protein were decreased at 3,7,10,14 days of postcautery in treatment groups compared to control group (P<0.01), while no significant differences were found between treatment group Ⅰ and Ⅱ respectively (P>0.05). COX-2 was correlative with VEGF positively in each group (P<0.05).Conclusion COX-2 contribute to inflammation-associated corneal angiogenesis. Topical application of COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 eye drops has prominent effectiveness on the inhibition of angiogenesis induced by alkali burn.