Abstract
Purpose: :
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is the major complication of retinal detachment surgery and a frequent complication of posterior segment ocular trauma. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are believed to play an important role in the fibrosis associated with PVR. Recent studies have shown that curcumin, a polyphenol which is the main ingredient of the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), can prevent the development of fibrosis. We investigated the ability of curcumin to prevent RPE cell growth in vitro, as well as the development of PVR in vivo in a large animal model, the pig.
Methods: :
Porcine RPE sheets were isolated using dispase, and cultured with 10%FBS supplemented DMEM in the presence or absence of curcumin for 6 days. The effect of curcumin on cell growth and proliferation was assessed by measuring RPE sheet enlargement and BrdU uptake, respectively. A three-step procedure consisting of: (1) pars plana vitrectomy, (2) retinal detachment created by the subretinal injection of BSS, and (3) intravitreal injection of RPE cells (80,000 cells), was used to induce PVR in pig eyes. Curcumin (in the experimental eye, n=9) or the solvent DMSO (in the control eye, n=9) was injected intravitreally on days 0, 3, 7 and 10, with indirect ophthalmoscopy performed on days 3, 7 and 14.
Results: :
Curcumin (up to 20μM) inhibited RPE cell growth and proliferation in vitro, in a dose dependent manner, and significantly prevented PVR in vivo. Retinal folding and/or detachment were observed in all control eyes (n=9) within 14-days post-surgery. In contrast, only one eye out of 9 injected with curcumin developed a retinal fold and no animal developed a retinal detachment.
Conclusions: :
Curcumin significantly inhibited RPE cell growth in vitro, and the development of PVR in a large animal model, the pig. Curcumin may be useful as adjunctive therapy for the prevention of PVR.
Keywords: proliferative vitreoretinopathy