The Role of Anti-VEGF Drugs in Regulating Mitochondrial Function in Retinopathy of Prematurity in Rats

WEI Tanwei; LIU Zhiping; PENG Jianjun

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Journal of Hunan Normal University(Medical Science) ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (1) : 45-50.

Basic Medicine

The Role of Anti-VEGF Drugs in Regulating Mitochondrial Function in Retinopathy of Prematurity in Rats

WEI Tanwei¹, LIU Zhiping², PENG Jianjun¹

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Abstract

Objective Exploring the mechanism of anti VEGF drugs regulating mitochondrial function in an animal model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods An oxygen induced retinal disease model was established in 18 newborn SD rats, which were randomly divided into a control group (non retinal disease), a model group, and a treatment group, with 6 rats in each group. After successful modeling, the treatment group of rats was injected with 1 μL of anti VEGF drug (Conbercept) into the vitreous cavity, while the other two groups were injected with an equal amount of physiological saline once a day for 5 days. 24 hours after the last administration, fluorescence angiography was used to observe changes in retinal blood vessels perfusion; Examine the retinal morphology via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining; monitor alterations in VEGF expression within the retina using immunohistochemistry; and detect changes in retinal cell apoptosis with Cleaved Caspase-3 immunofluorescence; Western blot analysis of PGC-1 α and 8-OHdG protein expression in the retina. Results The model group exhibited extensive neovascularization and retinal hemorrhaging, whereas the control and treatment groups showed a marked decrease in these occurrences compared to the model group. The inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) of the retina in both the control and treatment groups showed a notable increase in thickness when contrasted with the model group; Reduced immune reactivity of VEGF; The fluorescence intensity of Caspase-3 significantly decreased; PGC-1α protein expression significantly rose, concurrently with a marked reduction in 8-OHdG protein expression. Conclusion Anti VEGF drugs can inhibit retinopathy in premature rats, and their mechanism of action is related to regulating mitochondrial function and reducing retinal cell apoptosis.

Key words

retinopathy of prematurity / anti-VEGF drugs / mitochondrial function / cell apoptosis

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WEI Tanwei, LIU Zhiping, PENG Jianjun. The Role of Anti-VEGF Drugs in Regulating Mitochondrial Function in Retinopathy of Prematurity in Rats[J]. Journal of Hunan Normal University(Medical Science). 2026, 23(1): 45-50

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