Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Delayed corneal epithelial wound healing is often associated with diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to high glucose on proliferation, adhesion and migration of normal human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs). Methods: Normal HCECs purchased from Kurabo (Osaka, Japan) were cultured in media containing normal (6mM) or high glucose (36mM) condition for 14 days. Cell proliferation was evaluated by direct cell counting and 3H thymidine incorporation. To examine the osmotic effect of high glucose, HCECs were also cultured in the presence of 30mM mannitol. In adhesion assay, cells were allowed to adhere to laminin-coated wells for 40 minutes and the attached cells were counted. Cell migration was determined by using Boyden chamber method. Results: Direct cell counting and 3H thymidine incorporation were decreased under high glucose condition compared to normal glucose level (60.9 % and 67.0 %, respectively). Although cell proliferation was also inhibited by mannitol (80.9%), its effect was milder than that of glucose. Cell adhesion activity maintained in high glucose condition was decreased compared to that in normal glucose level (19.6%), whereas high glucose had no effects on cell migration. Conclusion: These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of high glucose on cell proliferation was partially related to hyperosmorality. High glucose has deleterious effect on proliferation and adhesion of normal HCECs and may directly link to accelerate the delayed corneal epithelial wound healing in diabetic keratopathy.
Keywords: 372 cornea: epithelium • 387 diabetes • 523 proliferation