Laser treatment of cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells-evaluation of the cellular damage in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the effects of laser photocoagulation on cultured primary retinal pigment epithelial cells.


METHODS
Cells were treated by a diode laser (678 nm) with 800 and 1600 mW for 0.186 second. Cell toxicity was tested by the WST-1 assay, and the uptakes of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were measured.


RESULTS
Laser photocoagulation (1600 mW) caused cell damage and the mitochondrial enzyme activity evaluated by a WST-1 test significantly decreased by 20%-30%. Laser treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in glutamate uptake but increased GABA uptake.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser treatment and the laser-induced increase in temperature influence transport processes in retinal pigment epithelial cells and may cause cell damage in the posterior part of the retina.
Szabó
Antal
A
Brain Research Center, University of Tampere, Medical School, Finland. szaboa@szem1.sote.hu
Varga
Vince
V
Toimela
Tarja
T
Hiitelä
Kai
K
Tähti
Hanna
H
Oja
Simo S
SS
Süveges
Ildikó
I
Salminen
Lotta
L
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013552:Swine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D010088:Oxidoreductases