Potential Use of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Evidence from a Mouse Model

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of low vision and legal blindness in adults in developed countries. Wet AMD can be successfully treated using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors; however, dry AMD currently has no effective treatment. The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficacy of intraocular injection of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) in an AMD mouse model induced by intraperitoneal administration of sodium iodate. Materials and Methods: Intravitreal application of PRGF (experimental group) and saline (control group) was performed immediately after intraperitoneal injection of sodium iodate. Retinographies were performed at 2 and 7 days after treatment administration. The eyes were retrieved for histological and immunohistological analysis. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the outcomes between the study groups. Results: In comparison to saline solution, PRGF significantly decreased the depigmentation of the RPE, showing a more reddened retina. PRGF intravitreal treatment significantly reduced the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) stained processes, suggesting a significant reduction in the risk of scar formation. Moreover, the myofibroblast invasion into the RPE cell layer was significantly reduced in the PRGF-treated group of mice. There was a tendency for better preservation of the photoreceptors in the PRGF group. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, intravitreal injection of PRGF provided significant protection against the degeneration of the photoreceptors and the RPE induced by the systemic administration of NaIO3.