In Vivo Effects of Prostaglandin Analogues Application by Topical Drops or Retrobulbar Injections on the Orbital Fat of a Rat Model

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To assess the in vivo effects of bimatoprost 0.03% (Lumigan®) on the orbital fat in a rat model.

Methods

Twenty rats were randomly divided into two groups: bimatoprost was administrated to the right eye by topical drops (group 1) or retrobulbar injection (group 2), and saline was administrated to the left eye by similar administration routes (controls). Four weeks later, all rats were sedated and euthanized, both orbits exenterated, and thin sections through the intraconal orbital fat were obtained.

Results

Average adipocyte cell count was significantly lower in the bimatoprost treated orbits (drops or retrobulbar injection, 29.5 vs. 67.5 cells per slide in the control globes, p=0.046). Fat cells were not detected in 9/20 (45%) bimatoprost treated orbits     .

Conclusions

Orbits treated with bimatoprost by drops or retrobulbar injection demonstrated significant decrease in adipocytes cell count compared with controls. Bimatoprost could be an effective treatment for inactive thyroid eye disease.

KEYWORDS:

• Bimatoprost
• orbital fat atrophy
• rat model
• thyroid eye disease

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Claire and Amedee Martier Institute [Grant number 0601248492] for the Study of Blindness and Visual Disorders, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. The funding organization had no role in the design or implementation of this research.