Lens Epithelial Cell Apoptosis And Cataract Formation In Experimental Research

Objective. To investigate the relationship between lens epithelial cell apoptosis induced by 14202 and cataract formation. Methods. Vitro rabbit's lenses were incubated in the medium of M199(control group)and in the medium of M199 adding H202 (experimental group)respectively. Experimental and control groups were divided into ten groupswhichwereincubatedfor3h 6h 12h 18h 24h 36h 48h. 60h. 84h 108h. 69 lenses were included in each group. Lens opacity in each group was detected with black cross line and took pictures in different tune. Apoptotic lens epithelial cells was assayed and apoptosis rate of lens epithelial cells was calculated under light microscope after the treatment of TUNEL method. The microstructure of apoptotic epithelial cells was observed under transmission electron microscope. Results. 1. the longer time incubate in the medium adding 14202 , the more opaque of lens was found. Lens opacification was not found till 6 hours, and the lenses became almost completely opaque about 108 hours in the experimental group. 2. In experimental group, the percentage of apoptotic cells were gradually increased as the incubation time prolonged, about 4.45% of the epithelial cell were apoptosis at 3 hours . More than 93.89% of the lens epithelial cells underwent apoptosis, and almost total lens epithelial cells became apoptotic cells at l08hours . There was no any significant change in control group at all the incubation course. 3. H202-induced lens epithelial cell apoptosis precedes cataract formation. 4. There was closed relation between apoptosis rate of lens epithelial cells and cataract formation. Conclusion. Lens epithelial cell apoptosis can be induced by oxidative injury and cataract can be developed as the rate of the apoptosis increased to some quantities in vitro.