Abstract:AIM: To investigate the effect of PEDF on retinal neovascularization in mice. METHODS: 40 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice was exposed to 750mL/L oxygen for 5 days and then to normal situation to produce the murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR). One eye of the mouse was regarded as experimental one and the other served as control. Eyes in experimental group received intravitreal injection of PEDF and eyes in control group received intravitreal injection of PBS at postnatal day 12. All mice were executed at postnatal day 17. The changes of retinal vessels of mice were observed by ADPase histochemical technique. The inhibitory effect of PEDF on retinal neovascularization was evaluated by counting the endotheliocyte nuclei of new vessels which extended from retina to vitreous in the tissue slice of HE staining. RESULTS: Neovascularization was reduced, retinal blood vessels distributed regularly and non-perfusion areas were not found in eyes of experimental group compared with control group. The number of endotheliocyte nuclei of new vessels extending from retina to vitreous was significantly less in the eyes of experimental group (10.18±1.74) than that in control group (38.89±2.98) (P <0.01). Retinal toxicity and inflammatory reactions were not found in tissue slice. CONCLUSION: PEDF inhibits retinal angiogenesis in OIR and the feasibility should be determined for use of PEDF in ocular angiogenesis treatment.
