Abstract:To investigate the effect of Z,E-butylidedephthalide (Bdph)on laser-induced experimental choroidal neovasculari- zation (CNV) in rat model and choroid blood flow in rabbits' eyes. · METHODS: Male Brown Norway rats were treated with Nd:YAG laser to break Bruch's membrane. 30mg/kg and 15mg/kg Bdph were given daily through intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks after laser treatment. Fluorescein angiography (FA) and choroidal flat mount were used to measure the development of CNV. Female New Zealand white rabbits' eyes were instilled with 10g/L Z,E-BdPh solution, and ocular blood flow was measured with colored microsphere technique. · RESULTS: The intensity of fluorescein leakage, indicating the ocular lesion, decreased significantly in group Bdph 30mg/kg and 15mg/kg, as compared to the control at P <0.01. The area of neovascularization checked by FA in both groups of Bdph, at 30mg/kg and 15mg/kg decreased significantly compared to the control group at P <0.05. On the choroid flat mount, the areas of CNV were also smaller in both Bdph groups than that in control group. One percent drug solution instilled into rabbits' eyes could improve the choroid blood flow at 30 and 60 minutes after drug instillation (P <0.05). · CONCLUSION: Z,E-butylidedephthalide can inhibit the development of CNV in the rat eyes and increase the choroid blood flow in the rabbit eyes. These results suggest that Z,E-butylidedephthalide may be a good agent for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
