Curative effect of subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab on angiogenesis in alkali burn cornea of rats

Objective To evaluate the effects of the subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab on angiogenesis in alkali burn cornea of rats. Methods The corneal neovascularization(CNV)model was induced by alkali burns in corneas of 22 Wistar male rats.And then they were divided in two groups:control group and experimental group.The corneas in control group received subconjunctivally 0.02 ml of 0.9% saline solution,while the corneas in experimental group received subconjunctivally 0.02 ml of bevacizumab(25 mg/ml)at day 1,3 and 5 after lesion.The angiogenesis and inhibition of corneal neovascularization(CNV)were detected by calculating microvessl numbers under microscopy,and determining the length,the growth rate and the area of CNV under slit lamp. Results The growth rate of CNV was slower in experimental group than in control group[(1.05±0.62)mm/d vs(2.87±0.34)mm/d,P0.05].The area of neovascularization of the corneal surface in experimental group was smaller than in control group[(30.5±18.8)% vs (57.5±11)%,P0.05].The microvessl number was lower in experimental group(1.86±1.54)than in control group(8.51±2.33,P0.05). Conclusion Bevacizumab may inhibit corneal angiogenesis.