Effects of Valproic Acid on the Survival of Human Tennon's Capsule Fibroblasts

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of valproic acid on the survival of cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFBs). METHODS: Primary cultured HTFBs were exposed to 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mM valproic acid with or without 0, 1.0, 2.5 µg/mL mitomycin C, and incubated for 5 days. Cell survival was assessed using an MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and the degree of apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry using annexin-V/propidium iodide double staining. RESULTS: Valproic acid decreased the survival of HTFBs in a dose-dependent manner, and survival was further decreased by adding mitomycin C to valproic acid. Both valproic acid and mitomycin C induced apoptosis of HTFBs. Valproic acid induced less apoptosis than mitomycin C. CONCLUSIONS: Valproic acid decreased the cellular survival of HTFBs and induced apoptosis. The antiproliferative effects of valproic acid were further enhanced by the addition of mitomycin C.

Flow Cytometric Analysis of the Effects of Resveratrol on the Survival of Human Tennon's Capsule Fibroblasts

PURPOSE: Resveratrol exerts cytoprotective or cytotoxic effects according to cell type. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on the survival of cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFBs). METHODS: Primarily cultured HTFBs were exposed to 0, 10, or 100 microM resveratrol for 3 days. Cellular survival was assessed using the MTT assay and degree of apoptosis was analyzed with flow cytometry using annexin-V/propidium iodide double staining. RESULTS: Resveratrol decreased the survival of HTFBs after exposure to 10 microM (p = 0.04). In flow cytometric analysis, 10 microM resveratrol did not affect the degree of apoptosis (p = 0.89), but 100 microM resveratrol increased the degree of apoptosis (p = 0.003). Both 10 and 100 microM resveratrol did not affect the degree of necrosis (p = 0.74, 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol decreased cellular survival of cultured HTFBs and induced apoptosis. Thus, resveratrol may exert antiproliferative effects on HTFBs.