Sulodexide inhibits retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy

BMB Rep. 2014 Nov;47(11):637-42. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2014.47.11.009.

Abstract

Sulodexide is a mixed glycosaminoglycan composed of heparin and dermatan sulfate. In this study, the anti-angiogenic effect of sulodexide was investigated using an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model. The retinas of sham-injected OIR mice (P17) had a distinctive central area of nonperfusion, and this area was significantly decreased in sulodexide-injected mice. The number of neovascular tufts measured by SWIFT_NV and mean neovascular lumen number were significantly decreased in sulodexide-injected mice. Hyperbaric oxygen exposure resulted in increased levels of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9, and when mice were treated with sulodexide, a dose-dependent reduction in VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels was observed. Our results clearly demonstrate the anti-angiogenic effect of sulodexide and highlight sulodexide as a candidate supplementary substance to be used for the treatment of ocular pathologies that involve neovascularization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / chemistry
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / metabolism
  • Glycosaminoglycans / pharmacology
  • Glycosaminoglycans / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Oxygen / toxicity
  • Retina / drug effects
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Retina / pathology
  • Retinal Diseases / chemically induced
  • Retinal Diseases / therapy*
  • Retinal Neovascularization / pathology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Glycosaminoglycans
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • glucuronyl glucosamine glycan sulfate
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
  • Oxygen