Purpose: Comparing the effect of adiponectin versus bevacizumab in decreasing corneal neovascularization.
Methods: This study was conducted on 30 eyes of 30 New Zealand Albino male rabbits. Corneal neovascularization was induced by a single 7-0 silk suture 2 mm long and 1 mm in front of the limbus for 2 weeks. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of adiponectin (20 µg/mL), bevacizumab (5 mg/mL) and artificial tears. The treatments continued up to 14 days.
Results: At the end of 14 days, the average length of vessels in rabbits treated with adiponectin, bevacizumab and control groups decreased from 2.12 ± 0.32 mm to 0.89 ± 0.46 mm (57.68% ± 19.98%) (P < 0.001), 2.30 ± 0.41 mm to 1.30 ± 0.58 mm (42.49% ± 27.17%) (P = 0.048) and from 2.12 ± 0.44 mm to 1.81 ± 0.42 mm (14.81% ± 5.64%) (P = 0.112), respectively. The length of vessels decreased 57.68% ± 19.98% and 42.49% ± 27.17% in adiponectin versus bevacizumab groups, respectively (P = 0.527). The average surface area of vessels in rabbits treated with adiponectin, bevacizumab and control groups reduced from 5.02 ± 1.50 mm2 to 1.40 ± 0.75 mm2 (70.64% ± 17.76%) (P < 0.001) 0.34 ± 1.1 mm2 to 2.80 ± 1.04 mm2 (48.24% ± 19.23%) (P = 0.039) and 5.12 ± 2.92 mm2 to 4.4 ± 2.55 mm2 (14.68% ± 4.19%) (P = 0.117). Mean surface area of vascularization decreased 70.64% ± 17.76% and 48.24% ± 19.23% in adiponectin versus bevacizumab, respectively (P = 0.013).
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that topical adiponectin can decrease recent corneal neovascularization.
Keywords: Bevacizumab; adiponectin; animal model; corneal neovascularization.