Korean J Ophthalmol.  2008 Sep;22(3):183-186. 10.3341/kjo.2008.22.3.183.

Protective Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate After UV Irradiation of Cultured Human Lens Epithelial Cells

• Heo J
• Lee BR
• Koh JW

• KMID: 1070755
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2008.22.3.183

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against UV irradiation of cultured human lens epithelial cells. METHODS: We irradiated cultured human lens epithelial cells with a 30-second pulse from a UV lamp with an irradiance of 0.6 mW/cm2. Five minutes and 1 hour after UV irradiation, we administered 0, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, or 100 uM EGCG. The cell number was measured with a microscopic counting chamber and cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: Compared to untreated cells, the total number of cultured human lens epithelial cells was markedly higher after UV irradiation. In a dose-dependent manner, viability was also higher in EGCG-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: EGCG increased the cell count and cell viability after UV irradiation of cultured human lens epithelial cells, indicating that EGCG can protect lens epithelium against UV damage.

Keyword

Cell viability; Cultured human lens epithelial cells; Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG); 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; UV irradiation

MeSH Terms

Antioxidants/*pharmacology
Catechin/*analogs & derivatives/pharmacology
Cell Count
Cell Survival/drug effects
Cells, Cultured
Coloring Agents/diagnostic use
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Epithelial Cells/radiation effects
Humans
Lens, Crystalline/cytology/*radiation effects
Radiation Injuries/*prevention & control
Radiation-Protective Agents/*pharmacology
Tetrazolium Salts/diagnostic use
Thiazoles/diagnostic use
*Ultraviolet Rays