[Effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and catalase on apoptosis of lens epithelial cell and the activity of caspase-3].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine and catalase on H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis of lens epithelial cells and the activity of caspase-3.


METHODS
Rat lenses were incubated in MEM with 2 mmol/L H(2)O(2) (H(2)O(2) groups) or without H(2)O(2) (control groups), antioxidants 100 micromol/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine and 900 U/ml catalase were used to block the oxidative injury of lens epithelial cells respectively. Lens opacification and apoptosis of lens epithelial cells were detected using transmission electron microscope and AnnexinV-PI staining after 24 hours incubation. The activity of caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blot at the same time.


RESULTS
The observations revealed that 2 mmol/L H(2)O(2) could apparently induce lens opacification and lens epithelial cell apoptosis in vitro, the apoptosis rate increased to (31.20 +/- 3.31)% after 24 hours incubation, which is also the time caspase-3 was activated. Treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine and catalase could inhibit lens opacification, apoptosis and caspase-3 activation induced by H(2)O(2). The apoptosis rate decreased to (20.90 +/- 3.16)% and (15.02 +/- 2.41)% respectively (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine and catalase, possibly through regulation of the activity of caspase-3, can prevent lens opacification and apoptosis of lens epithelial cells.
Wang
Kai-jun
KJ
Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
Yao
Ke
K
Xu
Wen
W
Sun
Zhao-hui
ZH
Shentu
Xing-chao
XC
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000975:Antioxidants; D002374:Catalase; C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D000111:Acetylcysteine