Comparison of Topical Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin–Taurocholate and Bevacizumab for Treatment and Prevention of Corneal Neovascularization

PURPOSE: To compare the therapeutic and preventive effects of topically administered 7-taurocholic acid-conjugated low-molecular-weight heparin (LHT7) and bevacizumab in experimentally induced corneal neovascularization (CoNV). METHODS: CoNV was induced using sutures in the right eyes of 24 mice. To investigate the therapeutic effects, CoNV was allowed to develop for 1 week before treatment. To ascertain the preventive effects, the treatments were applied immediately after the suture. In each experiment, 12 eyes were divided into 3 groups and treated topically using bevacizumab (bevacizumab group), LHT7 (LHT7 group), and normal saline (control group). The treatments were instilled 3 times daily for 2 weeks. The CoNV area was measured before instillation and after 1 and 2 weeks after instillation. RESULTS: In the investigation of therapeutic effects, the CoNV area had decreased significantly 1 week after treatment in the bevacizumab group (1.58-0.75 mm; P = 0.036) and LHT7 group (1.38-0.74 mm; P = 0.018). Two weeks after treatment, the CoNV area was significantly smaller in the bevacizumab groups (0.60 mm; P = 0.005) and LHT7 group (0.64 mm; P = 0.015) than in the control group (1.68 mm), but the bevacizumab group did not differ significantly from the LHT7 group. In the experiment addressing the preventive effects, CoNV was less developed in the bevacizumab group (0.70 mm; P = 0.003) and LHT7 group (0.54 mm; P = 0.003) than in the control group (1.75 mm), and the CoNV area was smaller in the LHT7 group than in the bevacizumab group (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of LHT7 on CoNV regression are comparable to those of bevacizumab. Topical administration of LHT7 prevents CoNV more effectively than bevacizumab.