Effects Of Tetrandrine On The Expression Of Angiogenesis-related Factors In Corneal Neovascularization Of Rats

Purpose: This study sought to characterize the effect of tetrandrine(Tet) on the levels of gene expression of angiogenesis-related factors in a rat model of corneal neovascularization(CNV), including vascular endothelial growth factor C(VEGF-C),transforming growth factor- beta 1(TGF-β1),basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF),insulin-like growth factor -1(IGF-1)and macrophage inflammatory protein-2(MIP-2),and investigate the effect of Tet on corneal inflammation reaction and CNV.Methods: A alkaline burn was induced in the mid-corneas of 48 SD rats, the left cornea was treated with 0.9% Nacl,4 times per day, and the right cornea was treated with 4×10^-5mol/L Tet,4 times per day, nothing was done to another 8 SD rats. Corneal inflammation and CNV were evaluated everyday by slit lamp biomicroscopy, and the levels of angiogenesis-related genes were detected 1, 4, 7 and 14 days by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results: Corneal inflammation reaction showed one day and CNV was first observed three days after injury. Both aggravated over time. Spontaneous regression was observed on day 14 in both Nacl and Tet groups. The gene expression of the 5 factors was more in the model groups. VEGF-C gene expression was upregulated in both groups, and was significantly reduced in the Tet group(P<0.05). TGF-β1 and MIP-2 gene both high expressed in the two groups in the early stage and decreased with time, and were less in the Tet group(P<0.05). IGF-1 gene expression was upregulated early in the model, peaked at 7 days in both groups and decreased later,and was much less in the Tet group(P<0.05).bFGF gene expression was upregulated in both groups, at 14 days, there was a decrease change in the Nacl group compared to a significant increase in the Tet group,and was more in the Tet group(P<0.05).Conclusion: Tet treatment significantly extenuates corneal inflammation reaction and inhibits the progressive of CNV, and reduce the gene expression of VEGF-C,TGF-β1,IGF-1 and MIP-2,but enhance the gene expression of bFGF.