J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2003 Aug;44(8):1908-1913.

Effect of Nitric Oxide on the Proliferation of Cultured Human Tenon Capsule Fibroblasts Exposed to Benzalkonium Chloride

• Kim JW
• Kim KH
• Cho BJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate whether the effect of benzalkonium chloride (BAK) on the proliferation of human Tenon capsule fibroblasts (HTCF) is mediated by nitric oxide (NO) in tissue culture . METHODS: HTCF were exposed to various concentrations of BAK for 24 hr and the cellular proliferation and production of NO were assessed by MTT and Griess assays, respectively. A non-specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 0, 5 mM N(omega)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or NO donor, 100 micro M sodium nitroprusside (SNP), was co-administered with BAK to assess the effect of NO on the proliferation of cells. RESULTS: BAK decreased cellular proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and this effect was accompanied with decreased nitrite production. The cellular proliferation was increased significantly with BAK/SNP co-administration but decreased with BAK/L-NAME co-administration. CONCLUSIONS: NO donor increased the proliferation of HTCF which was decreased by BAK. The effect of BAK on the proliferation of HTCF may be possibly mediated by NO.

Keyword

Benzalkonium chloride; Fibroblast; L-NAME; Nitric oxide; Sodium nitroprusside

MeSH Terms

Benzalkonium Compounds*
Cell Proliferation
Fibroblasts*
Humans*
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Nitric Oxide*
Nitroprusside
Tenon Capsule*
Tissue Donors
Benzalkonium Compounds
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Nitroprusside