Intravitreal triamcinolone does not alter basal vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression in rat retina

Intravitreal triamcinolone inhibits choroidal neovascularization. To investigate if vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is affected, we examined VEGF expression after intravitreal triamcinolone administration in rat retina. Using in situ hybridization, we have found dense clustered VEGF mRNA signals in the retinal pigment epithelium, moderate patchy signals in the inner nuclear layer, and positive labeling in a sub-population of ganglion cells. Densitometry and northern blot analysis revealed no significant alteration of VEGF mRNA expression pattern and level 3-21 days after triamcinolone injection. Our data indicate that intravitreal triamcinolone does not affect basal VEGF mRNA expression in normal adult rat retina.