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.
Hyoung Jo  1 ,  Sang Hoon Jung  1 ,  Jun Kang  2 ,  Hye Bin Yim  3 ,  Kui Dong Kang  3
Affiliations
  • 1. Functional Food Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Gangneung Institute, Gangneung 210-340, Korea.
  • 2. Department of Pathology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon 403-720, Korea.
  • 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon 403-720, Korea.
PMID: 24602608 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.

Products