Inhibitory effect of bucillamine on laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in rats

Purpose. We investigated the inhibitory effects of bucillamine on formation of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a rat model. Methods. Bucillamine administration (approximately 150 mg/kg/day) was started 1 week before photocoagulation and continued to the end of the study. Control groups received drinking water. Two weeks after photocoagulation, choroidal neovascularization development was evaluated using simultaneous fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and the maximal thickness of the lesions was measured histologically. Results. The incidence of CNV formation was 99.5 +/- 0.2% [mean +/- standard deviation (SD)] in control rats and 64.3 +/- 15.1% with bucillamine (P < 0.01). Histological study showed that the thickness of the CNV lesions was 23.4 ± 6.5 μm (mean ± SD) in the bucillamine-treated rats, which was significantly decreased compared to that in controls (60.8 ± 9.2 μm) (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Our results suggest that bucillamine may inhibit the development of laser-induced CNV in rats.