Korean J Ophthalmol.  2007 Dec;21(4):232-237. 10.3341/kjo.2007.21.4.232.

Protective Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate after UV Irradiation in Cultured Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

• Yang SW
• Lee BR
• Koh JW

• KMID: 754642
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2007.21.4.232

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the protective effects of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against UV irradiation in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. METHODS: UV irradiation was produced by a UV lamp for 30 seconds with an irradiance of 3.3 mW/cm2. After 5 minutes and 1 hour, we administered different concentrations of EGCG (0, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 100 uM). The cell count was determined under a microscope using a counting chamber and the cell activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: The cell count of cultured human RPE cells after UV irradiation was markedly increased in the EGCG administration group, compared with the non-administrated group. The cell activity of the cultured human RPE cells after UV irradiation was markedly increased in the EGCG administration group and was increased in a dose-dependent way as determined by the MTT assay. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of EGCG increased the cell count and the cell activity after UV irradiation in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells; this suggests that EGCG provided protection against UV damage in cultured human retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

Keyword

Cellular activity; Cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells; Epigallocatechin Gallate; UV irradiation

MeSH Terms

Antioxidants/*pharmacology
Catechin/*analogs & derivatives/pharmacology
Cell Count
Cells, Cultured
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Humans
Pigment Epithelium of Eye/cytology/*drug effects/radiation effects
Radiation Injuries/pathology/*prevention & control
Radiation-Protective Agents
Spectrophotometry
*Ultraviolet Rays