AIM: To investigate the protective effect of VAS2870 on mice oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and the possible underlying mechanisms.

METHODS: Neonatal C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into three groups: normoxic control group, PBS injection of OIR group and VAS2870 injection of OIR group. The mice of the latter two groups were exposed to 75% oxygen from the postnatal 7d(P7)to the postnatal 12d(P12)to induced OIR. VAS2870 was administered by intravitreal injection(0.5μL)in a mice model of OIR in P12. Another set of mice model of OIR were received a similar treatment with PBS. All eyes were collected at P17. The right eyes were whole mounted and stained with Lectin to observe the growth of retinal vessels; The eyes were enucleated to assess the levels of reactive oxygen species ROS/RNS. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and Nox4 mRNA were detected by western blot and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTS: In the retina of OIR, VAS2870 reduced the retinal avascular area and neovascularization, the hypoxia-induced increase in ROS levels, the protein expression of VEGF and gene expression of Nox4 mRNA.

CONCLUSION: NOX4 enzyme inhibition with VAS2870 has potent anti-oxidative stress effects in the retina, indicating its potential as a treatment for retinopathy of prematurity.