Evaluating the Therapeutic Potential of Superoxide Dismutase in a Rat Model of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision loss in the elderly, with limited oral treatment options for the wet form characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV). This study evaluated GF103, a mutant superoxide dismutase (SOD) from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, for its potential as an oral therapy in a laser-induced CNV rat model. GF103 was orally administered at varying doses, and outcomes included CNV area, retinal leakage, and VEGF/HIF-1α expression. GF103 was well tolerated and significantly reduced CNV area and retinal VEGF expression at higher doses (≥ 25 mg/kg for retinal VEGF expression; ≥ 50 mg/kg for CNV area). While reductions in fluorescein leakage and HIF-1α levels were not statistically significant, trends suggested modulation of oxidative and hypoxia-related pathways. These results support the potential of GF103 as a safe oral adjunct to existing therapies for wet AMD, meriting further investigation.