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Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Model for Ischemic Retinal Diseases in Rodents
Published on: September 16, 2020
The effect of desflurane on retinal angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy
Hyun-Su Ri1, Sun Sik Bae2, Jung Min Ha2
1Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Geumo-ro 20, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.
Purpose:
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an ocular disorder that primarily occurs in premature infants and is the most common cause of vision impairment. This study examined the effect of desflurane on angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR).
Methods:
Mice were randomly allocated to the control (C), ROP control (Rc), or ROP with desflurane exposure (Rd) group. To induce ROP, 7-day-old mice were exposed to 75% oxygen in a chamber for 5 days [postnatal days (P) 7-12], and thereafter returned to room air. Age-matched mice exposed to room air formed the C group. The Rd group was exposed to 8% desflurane for 2 h on P12, P13, and P14 with 40% oxygen. To observe changes in angiogenesis of the retina, mice were sacrificed at P16.
Results:
The ratio of avascular area/total retinal area was not changed significantly in the Rd group, compared to the Rc group. The expression of endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the Rd group and Rc group was not significantly different.
Conclusions:
Desflurane does not have a significant influence on retinal angiogenesis via HIF-1α and VEGF-A expression in the OIR mouse model. However, these findings are not directly applicable to premature infants, and it is thus necessary to perform further studies to determine the effect of desflurane on angiogenesis.
