AIM: To study the effect of diallyl trisulfide(DATS)on experimental corneal neovascularization(CNV)in rats induced by corneal suture and detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and p-AKT in rats cornea.

METHODS: The rat model of corneal neovascularization(CNV)was induced by corneal suture. Rats were randomly divided into Group A: physiological saline control group containing DMSO(10 rats); Group B: 25μmol/L DATS treatment group(10 rats); Group C: 50μmol/L DATS treatment group(10 rats); Group D: 100μmol/L DATS treatment group(10 rats); Group E: 200μmol/L DATS treatment group(10 rats). The occurrence and development of CNV were observed by slit-lamp microscope at 7d after suture, and the area of CNV were calculated.Two weeks later, HE staining was used to observe the pathological organization form of each cornea, and RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and p-AKT between each groups.

RESULTS: The blood vessel area of Group C, D and E was compared with that of Group A, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05); HE slice showed corneal edema, angiogenesis and inflammation infiltration situation gradually reduced comparing with the Group A, with the increase of concentration of DATS. RT-PCR showed the expression of VEGF mRNA in Group B, C, D, and E decreased compared with the Group A, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Western-blot showed that the expressions of VEGF and p-AKT in Group B, C, D and E decreased gradually compared with those in Group A, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: DATS can inhibit corneal neovascularization of the rats induced by suture. Its mechanism may be associated with suppression of VEGF secretion, down-regulation of VEGF and inactivation of p-AKT.