[Inhibition effects of compound leech eye drops on apoptosis of lens epithelial cells and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax genes in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the inhibition effects of compound leech eye drops (Co-SZ) on apoptosis of lens epithelial cells (LECs) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the expressions of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2 and Bax in rats.


METHODS
All fresh transparent LECs in SD rats were bathed in culture medium with H2O2 in vitro, meanwhile Co-SZ were added in the culture medium. All LECs were incubated for 24 hours. The apoptosis rate of LECs was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated biotin-dUTP nick end labeling method (TUNEL). The changes of LEC ultrastructure and the formation of apoptotic body were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expressions of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by streptavdin-peroxidase-biotin method.


RESULTS
The apoptosis rate of LECs in the Co-SZ-treated group was significantly lower than that in the H2O2-treated group. The changes of apoptotic LEC ultrastructure in the Co-SZ-treated group were less than those in the H2O2-treated group. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was up-regulated and the expression of Bax protein was down-regulated in the Co-SZ-treated group as compared with the H2O2-treated group.


CONCLUSIONS
The LEC apoptosis induced by H2O2 can be inhibited by Co-SZ. The molecular mechanisms of Co-SZ in inhibiting LEC apoptosis may be related to regulating the expressions of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2 and Bax.
Huang
Xiu-rong
XR
Research Center of Pathophysiology, Fujian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350003, China.
Qi
Ming-xin
MX
Wang
Zhao-yang
ZY
Chen
Yi
Y
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007865:Leeches / Q000737:chemistry; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C494828:Bax protein, rat; D008419:Materia Medica; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein