Abstract

To investigate the effect of tetrandrine (Tet) on the expression of leptin (LP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in corneal neovascularization (CNV). CNV model was made by alkaline burning. The expressions of LP and VEGF in CNV before and after using Tet were detected slit lamp biomicroscopy, photography and immunohistochemical staining. Immunohistochemistry showed LP was observed in the epithelium, stroma and endothelium of normal rat corneas. The epithelial and stromal layers of the normal rat corneas demonstrated minimal or no VEGF expression. The expression of CNV increased markedly throughout the whole cornea. In the Tet experimental group there were weak (P<0.05) expression levels for LP and VEGF in the corneal stroma. Tet can effectively inhibit the growth of CNV after alkali burns in rats, and reduce the expression of LP and VEGF in CNV.

Key words: Alkali burns, corneal neovascularization, leptin, vascular endothelial growth factor, tetrandrine.

Abbreviation

LP, leptin; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; CNV, corneal neovascularization; Tet, tetrandrine; SD, sprague dawley; SABC, streptavidin-biotin complex; PBS, portable batch system; PLA 2, phospholipase A2.