Investigation of the effect of quercetin in an experimental oxygen-induced retinopathy model

Aim: Investigation of the effect of intraperitoneal (IP) quercetin and bevacizumab on oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model in rats. Methods: In the study, 28 newborn rats were used. The OIR model was performed with the 50/10% oxygen technique. The study consisted of four groups as a control group (Group I) and OIR groups (Group II, III, and IV). IP injection applied to all groups on the postnatal day (PND) 14. Groups I and II were performed 0.9% NaCl, Group III was performed IP bevacizumab, and Group IV was performed IP quercetin. All animals were sacrificed on PND 18. Results: Based on the data obtained from immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations, the number of vascular endothelial cell (VEC), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were significantly reduced in Group III and IV compared to Group II. VECs levels were 0±0, 32.69±5.77, 2.92±0.63, and 3.64±0.36 in Group I, Group II, Group III, and Group IV, respectively (p<0.001). Likewise, VEGF values were 0.15±0.01, 7.57±1.80, 2.45±0.45, and 2.46±0.49, respectively (p<0.001). As well as TNF-α values were 0.06±0.01, 8.22±2.24, 2.32±0.32, and 2.29±0.26 in Group I, Group II, Group III, and Group IV, respectively (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between Group III and Group IV in terms of VEC, VEGF and TNF-α values (range of p values was 0.96-1.00). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that quercetin administration significantly reduced the VEC number and suppressed VEGF and TNF-α. Quercetin's anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis effect was found to be similar to bevacizumab.