| Abstract [eng] |
DR affects more than one-third of people with diabetes and it is one of the leading causes of blindness in individuals aged 24–70 years (Lee et al., 2015). The disease is characterized by retinal neovascularization and increased vascular permeability. The aim of the study was to develop an effective preclinical model of the disease with clearly measurable morphological and functional parameters for drug testing. Pathology in rabbits was induced by intravitreal VEGF injections. The model was characterized by evaluating morphological parameters using optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography methods. Functional parameters of this model were assesed using electrophysiological methods by determining the response of bipolar and photoreceptor cells. The results of the study revealed that the effective VEGF dose to induce the model is 5000 ng. The model was characterized by neovascularization, vascular leak and decreased bipolar cell response. Day 4 intravitreal injection of aflibercept reversed pathological changes. |
