Angiogenesis in rabbit cornea after disruption of descemet's membrane in the presence of heparin
Nikolic, L.B.
Vestnik Oftalmologii 114(4): 35-38
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-465X PMID: 9771087 Document Number: 495587
Nd:YAG laser was used to disrupt Descemet's membrane in rabbits in order to provoke the hypothetical release of angiogenic activity without a significant traumatic inflammation. Corneal vascularization was elicited only with simultaneous administration of heparin, which alone was unable to initiate the growth of new blood vessels. It is probable that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was released from its depot in Descemet's membrane and its critical concentration was saved by heparin. The importance of Descemet's membrane is highlighted by the fact that a similar lesion of midstroma could not induce angiogenesis even if aided by heparin. However, some other mechanisms cannot be ruled out, as bFGF acts in paracrine and amacrine mode only.