Inhibition of choroidal angiogenesis by calcium dobesilate in normal Wistar and diabetic GK rats

Calcium dobesilate reduces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) over-expression in diabetic rat retina, but its effect on intraocular angiogenesis is unknown. Therefore, we tested calcium dobesilate for its in vitro and ex vivo effects on choroidal explant angiogenesis in spontaneously diabetic Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rats. Choroidal explants were cultured in gels of collagen. Budded microvessels numbers and VEGF formation were taken as markers of angiogenesis. Ex vivo studies were performed in GK rats orally given 100 mg/kg/day calcium dobesilate for 10 days. In vitro, calcium dobesilate dose- and time-dependently inhibited both microvessel formation and VEGF production, at concentrations ≥25 μg/ml (i.e. ≥60 μM), with complete inhibition at 100 μg/ml. Oral treatment of diabetic GK rats with calcium dobesilate induced a significant reduction of choroidal angiogenesis ex vivo (38.8% after 3 days of culture). In conclusion, calcium dobesilate inhibited choroidal explant angiogenesis both in vitro and ex vivo. This effect may be due, at least in part, to inhibition of VEGF production. Antiangiogenesis by calcium dobesilate can be involved in its therapeutic benefit in diabetic retinopathy.