TY - JOUR
T1 - HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statin) prevents retinal neovascularization in a model of oxygen-induced retinopathy
AU - Bartoli, Manuela
AU - Al-Shabrawey, Mohamed
AU - Labazi, Mohamed
AU - Ali Behzadian, M.
AU - Istanboli, Mohamed
AU - El-Remessy, Azza B.
AU - Caldwell, Robert William
AU - Marcus, Dennis M.
AU - Caldwell, Ruth B
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - PURPOSE. Retinal neovascularization (RNV) is a primary cause of blindness and involves the dysfunction of retinal capillaries. Recent studies have emphasized the beneficial effects of inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase (statins) in preventing vascular dysfunction. In the present study, the authors characterized the therapeutic effects of statins on RNV. METHODS. Statin treatment (10 mg/kg/d fluvastatin) was tested in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Morphometric analysis was conducted to determine the extent of capillary growth. Pimonidazole hydrochloride was used to assess retinal ischemia. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses were used to assess protein expression levels and immunolocalization. Lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical formation were determined to assess oxidative changes. RESULTS. Fluvastatin treatment significantly reduced the area of the capillary-free zone (P < 0.01), decreased the formation of neovascular tufts (P < 0.01), and ameliorated retinal ischemia. These morphologic and functional changes were associated with statin effects in preventing the upregulation of VEGF, HIF-1α, phosphorylated STAT3, and vascular expression of the inflammatory mediator ICAM-1 (P < 0.01). Superoxide production and lipid peroxidation in the ischemic retina were also reduced by statin treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest the beneficial effects of statin treatment in preventing retinal eovascularization. These beneficial effects appear to result from the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of statins.
AB - PURPOSE. Retinal neovascularization (RNV) is a primary cause of blindness and involves the dysfunction of retinal capillaries. Recent studies have emphasized the beneficial effects of inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase (statins) in preventing vascular dysfunction. In the present study, the authors characterized the therapeutic effects of statins on RNV. METHODS. Statin treatment (10 mg/kg/d fluvastatin) was tested in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Morphometric analysis was conducted to determine the extent of capillary growth. Pimonidazole hydrochloride was used to assess retinal ischemia. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses were used to assess protein expression levels and immunolocalization. Lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical formation were determined to assess oxidative changes. RESULTS. Fluvastatin treatment significantly reduced the area of the capillary-free zone (P < 0.01), decreased the formation of neovascular tufts (P < 0.01), and ameliorated retinal ischemia. These morphologic and functional changes were associated with statin effects in preventing the upregulation of VEGF, HIF-1α, phosphorylated STAT3, and vascular expression of the inflammatory mediator ICAM-1 (P < 0.01). Superoxide production and lipid peroxidation in the ischemic retina were also reduced by statin treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest the beneficial effects of statin treatment in preventing retinal eovascularization. These beneficial effects appear to result from the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of statins.
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U2 - 10.1167/iovs.08-2158
DO - 10.1167/iovs.08-2158
M3 - Article
C2 - 19098312
AN - SCOPUS:70349577808
SN - 0146-0404
VL - 50
SP - 4934
EP - 4940
JO - Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
JF - Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
IS - 10
ER -