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.
Brain Research Center, University of Tampere, Medical School, Finland. szaboa@szem1.sote.hu
Antal
A
Szabó
Vince
V
Varga
Tarja
T
Toimela
Kai
K
Hiitelä
Hanna
H
Tähti
Simo S
SS
Oja
Ildikó
I
Süveges
Lotta
L
Salminen
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