Effects Of Genistein On Hypoxia Induced Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Expression In ARPE-19 Cells

Objective: To investigate the upregulation of basicFibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) expression induced by hypoxia in retinal pigment epithelium cells , and the effects of genistein on hypoxia-induced bFGF expression .Methods: RPE eel Is were exposed to hypoxia for different time or pretreated with genistein. Then using immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscope coupled to computer, we measured fluorescence intensity ratio which correlates with the expression of bFGF in the treated cells.Results: The expression of bFGF could be upregulated by hypoxia in RPE cells. The flurescence intensity ratio reached its highest point at lh .Hypoxia-induced bFGF expression could be concentration-dependently inhibited by genistein . The inhibitory effects of genistein (50, 100, 200 u mol/L group) were significant compared to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO;negative control group).Conclusion: Genistein could inhibit hypoxia -induced bFGF expression in RPE cells. It is suggested that genistein might play a role in the prevention and treatment of retinal neovascularization .