The Experimental Study On Taurine And VitC Inhibitting Lens Epithelial Cell Apoptosis

Objective TO investigate the inhibition effect of antioxidants (taurine, Vitc)on the lens epithelial apoptosis induced by H₂O₂ .Methods Vitro rabbits lenses were incubated in the medium of MEM, and were devided into four groups: control group, H₂O₂ group, H₂O₂ added taurine and H202 added Vitc groups. The opacity of the lenses in every group was detected. The apoptosis rate of lens epithelial cells was calculated and assayed under light microscope after the treatment of TUNEL method. The DNA fragmentation assays of LECs were confirmed with the methods of agarose gel electrophoresis and the others. RESULTS (1) The opacity of the lenses: The lenses of the control group remain transparent until incubated for 108h;in the H202 group, lens opacification increased with incubation time, and the lenses were completely opaque after incubated for 108h;while only a part of the lenses in the taurine group and the Vitc group appeared opaque, which was apparently less than H₂O₂ group(p<0.01). (2)The apoptosis rate:There was no significant difference in the control group during the incubation; in the H202 group, which was gradually increased with the incubation time, and almost totally underwent apoptosis 108 hours later; the apoptosis rate in the taurine and Vitc groups were also increased with time(p<0.05), however remarkably lower than H202group(p<0. 01).The picture of DNA fragmentation analysis appeared typical ladder shape of apoptosis cells Conclusion Lens can take refuge from the oxidative injury of H202 with the addition of taurine or Vitc, as a result, the apoptosis rate of lens epithelial cells can be restrained and cataract formation alleviated.