Inhibition of experimental choroidal neovascularization by an anti-growth agent inhibiting vascular endothelial development

Purpose: To determine whether FR118487, a recently developed angiogenesis inhibitor, affects experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) induced by laser photocoagulation in pigmented rats. Methods: Focal laser photocoagulation (argon green 50 mW, 0.04 seconds, 200 μm) was applied to the retinochoroid of normal Brown Norway rats. Systemic administration of FR118487 (1.0 mg/kg body weight per day) with a mini-osmotic pump implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of the neck was started just after laser photocoagulation and continued for 2 weeks. Choroidal vascular casts were made 2 weeks after laser photocoagulation and were examined with a scanning electron microscope. CNV formation was divided into three grades and evaluated. Results: Laser-induced CNV formation was significantly less in rats given FR118487 than in control rats. CNVs in rats treated with FR118487 were less well developed than in the controls. Conclusion: FR118487 inhibits the development of experimental CNV induced by photocoagulation in pigmented rats.