Effects of Glutathione on Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Line

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress is the well known causative factor for retinal damage. This study investigated the effects of glutathione on reactive oxygen species(ROS) induced injury in human retinal pigment epithelial(HRPE) cells. OBJECTS AND METHODS: HRPE cells (ATCCCRL-2302) were cultured with DMEM media and exposed to oxidative stress (paraquat, hydrogen peroxide) and/or glutathione modulator[(buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), glutathione (GSH), 2-oxo 4-thiazolidine carboxylic acid (OTC)] for 2 days. The cell viability was determined by measuring the amount of reduced 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). RESULTS: The rate of MTT reduction of HRPE cells decreased by either paraquat or hydrogen peroxide treatment. BSO as a inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis potentiated paraquat- or hydrogen peroxideinduced HRPE cells injury. On the other hand GSH or OTC reduced the rate of decrement of MTT reduction in HRPE cells by paraquat and hydrogen peroxide. CONCLUSIONS: Glutathione seemed to play some role in prevention of ROS-induced HRPE cells injury and OTC may be used as an agents for prevention of free radical induced HRPE cell injury.