• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.553-557
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• 2014

Verapamil is used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, and atrial fibrillation. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that verapamil increased the optic nerve head blood flow and improved the retrobulbar circulation. All these show that verapamil is potentially useful for ophthalmic treatment. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate whether verapamil could protect human lens epithelial cell (HLEC) from oxidative stress induced by $H_2O_2$ and the cellular mechanism underlying this protective function. The viability of HLEC was determined by the MTT assay and apoptotic cell death was analyzed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Moreover, Caspase-3 expression was detected by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis. We also detected Caspase-3 mRNA expression by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the GSH content in cell culture. The results showed that oxidative stress produced significant cell apoptotic death and it was reduced by previous treatment with the verapamil. Verapamil was effective in reducing HLEC death mainly through reducing the expression level of apoptosis-related proteins, caspase-3, and increasing glutathione content. Therefore, it was suggested that verapamil was effective in reducing HLEC apoptosis induced by $H_2O_2$.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 1998

Age-related changes in the lens capsule and epithelium of cataractous patients, ranging from 20 to 7o years old, were studied by means or LM, immunohistochemistry, and TEM. The lens capsule was divided into four zones; the anterior, subanterior, middle, and basal zone. The van Gieson staining reaction for collagen was prominent at the anterior and subanterior parts of the lens capsule. The reaction was more decreased in the elder group than the younger group. The collagen type IV reaction was prominent at the anterior zone of the lens capsule and around the cell. The reaction was more decreased in the elder group than the younger group. 3. The Periodic Acid Shiff-Alcian Blue reaction for mucopolysaccharide was prominent at the anterior zone of the lens capsule. The reaction was more decreased in the elder group than the younger group. The Apoptotic reaction was prominent at the nucleus of the lens epithelial cell. In the elder the cataractous group, the number of the apoptotic cells was more decreased. The electron microscopic change of lens epithelial cells were characterized by the increase of lateral fold and the cytoplasm with various vacuoles and Golgi complex. In the basal part, lens epithelial cell protruded toward the lens capsule in the 20-year-old group. The basal part of the 40-year-old group was flattened and covered with the cytoplasmic processes of adjacent cells. In the 60-year-old group, the mass of rough filaments separated lens capsule and the basal part of the lens epithelial cell. The electron microscopic change of the middle part of lens capsule was characterized by the aggregation of electron dense materials in the 40-year-old group, and the appearance of filamentous materials and the decrease of electron dense granules in the 60-year-old group.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2015

Purpose: To determine the effect of marketed multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPSs) on human corneal epithelial cells (HCEpiCs) toxicity by using image analysis. Methods: HCEpiCs were exposed six MPSs (product A-F) at 0.05~50% for 2h, 12h, 24h, and 48h respectively. HCEpiCs were fixed and stained with Draq5 after exposure with MPSs, and the cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by using confocal microscope and ImageXpress UltraTM. Results: Viabilities of HCEpiCs exposed to MPS A-F for a 2h were not affected, while reductions (52~75%) in cell viability over a 12h exposure of MPS B, MPS C, MPS D and MPS F, and significant more reductions (29~73%) over a 24h and 48h-exposure. Apoptosis of HCEpiC was not affect over a 12h MPS exposure, however was significantly increased (199~526%) over 24h and 48h MPS exposure. Among the products MPS D, E and F reduced viability of HCEpiCs and apoptosis increased more than MPS A (p<0.05). Conclusions: Lower concentration of MPSs have not an cytotoxic effect on HCEpiCs, however higher concentration of MPSs induce apoptosis and reduce viability of HCEpiCs. Therefore, it need to develop MPS having antimicrobial effectiveness with low cytotoxicity.