Quantitative estimates of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic activity by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS).

The use of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and near-infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) for non-invasive in vivo measurements of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic activity in nude mice was evaluated. Angiogenic foci were induced in the skin by implantation of slow release pellets containing 200 ng basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). LDF and NIRS recordings from induced foci were significantly higher than placebo implants (P<0.05) and controls (P<0.001), proving that LDF and NIRS provide measures of angiogenic activity. Correspondingly, by these methods, an anti-angiogenic activity was significantly demonstrated in bFGF-stimulated animals treated with either the specific anti-angiogenic compound TNP-470 (P<0.05) or the anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone (P<0.001). We conclude that LDF and NIRS, alone or in combination, are useful non-invasive tools for early evaluation of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic activity in vivo.