[Effectivity versus toxicity of minoxidil as antiproliferative agent for lens epithelial cells. In vitro study].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the inhibitory effect of minoxidil on cultured proliferating lens epithelial cells (LECs) versus cytotoxic effect over corneal endothelial cells in culture, because minimum side effects over anterior chamber structures and particularly on corneal endothelium are required for successful therapy and prevention of posterior capsular opacification (PCO).


METHODS
New Zealand Rabbit LECs and corneal endothelium were cultured in DMEM at 35 degrees C in 5% CO2 in multiwells during 7 days. Both types of cells were exposed to minoxidil (1, 2 and 4 mM) for 1 and 24 hours. Control group and balanced salt solution group were included. After seven days multiwells were processed for light microscopy study. Morphometric study of cellular population of LECs and corneal endothelium cells were done using a computed planimetry system.


RESULTS
Dose-dependent effect on LECs proliferation was noted and non-confluent colonies of cells were observed on all treated groups. Morphologic changes in normal appearance of corneal endothelial cells after 1 hour of minoxidil treatment was observed and intracellular alterations were confirmed even with the lowest dose exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Although effectiveness of minoxidil suppressing in vitro LECs proliferation could be suggest as a useful therapeutic agent to prevent PCO, however the inhibitory effect of different concentrations on corneal endothelial cells conditioned its possible use on ocular surgery.
Hernández-Galilea
E
E
Universidad de Salamanca, Facultad de Medicina, Salamanca, España. egalilea@gugu.usal.es
Barahona
J M
JM
Vázquez
R
R
Castro
R
R
Urrutia
M
M
Sánchez
F
F
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D002386:Cataract / Q000517:prevention & control; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D011817:Rabbits; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D008914:Minoxidil