Translational Sildenafil Attenuates Vaso-Obliteration and Neovascularization in a Mouse Model of Retinopathy of Prematurity

METHODS. Vascular defects in OIR mice were quantified by measuring vaso-obliteration at postnatal days 12 and 17 (P12 and P17) and neovascularization at P17 to compare sildenafiltreated to dextrose-treated OIR mice. Retinal HIF1a protein expression was quantified by Western blotting and normalized to that of b-actin. Right ventricular hypertrophy was measured by Fulton’s index as a surrogate for hyperoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.