Abstract
Purpose::
To identify the possibility of senescence retardation in human corneal cells by investigating the cellular protective effects of ovophospholipids (OPL) against oxidative stress.
Methods::
The proliferation and protective effects of OPL was assessed by MTT assay in 0.5-3.0% OPL-treated human corneal epithelial (HCEC) and stromal (HCSC) cells. Cell cycle analysis was performed by RT-PCR of cyclins and CDKs. Messenger RNA expressions of IL-1 and MMP-9 were also investigated by RT-PCR. The expression of senescence marker, ß-galactosidase, was compared between high and low passage numbers of HCEC and HCSC by X-gal staining.
Results::
OPL-treated HCEC and HCSC showed retarded cell proliferation, but they did not showed any evidence of cell death. The mRNA expression of IL-1ß was decreased in OPL-treated human corneal cells, dose dependently. The ß-galactosidase expression levels between control and OPL-treated different passage numbers of cells did not significantly different.
Conclusions::
OPL treatment can protect the human corneal cells against oxidative stress, but more studies are required to identify their senescence retardation activities.
Keywords: aging • cornea: basic science • oxidation/oxidative or free radical damage