Tecogalan sodium inhibits corneal neovascularization induced by basic fibroblast growth factor.

The antiangiogenic effect of tecogalan sodium on corneal neovascularization was investigated. Tecogalan sodium, a sulfated polysaccharide peptidoglycan complex isolated from an Arthrobacter species, has been reported to inhibit angiogenesis induced by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as well as tumor angiogenesis related to Kaposi's sarcoma. Corneal neovascularization induced by bFGF was inhibited by tecogalan sodium in a dose-dependent manner. Since bFGF is known to have a promoting effect on corneal neovascularization, tecogalan sodium may be possible therapeutic agent for corneal neovascularization, which can cause severe visual disturbances.