Green tea polyphenols attenuating ultraviolet B-induced damage to human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the protective effect of green tea polyphenols against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.


METHODS
Green tea polyphenols (GTP) was used to treat RPE cells before or after exposure to UVB. Viability of RPE cells was tested by 3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Survivin gene expression was examined by real-time PCR analysis. Ultrastructure of RPE cells was examined by transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
GTP effectively suppressed the decrease in viability of the UVB stressed RPE cells and the UVB suppression of survivin gene expression level. GTP alleviated mitochondria dysfunction and DNA fragmentation induced by UVB.


CONCLUSIONS
GTP protected RPE cells from UVB damage through its increase in the survivin gene expression and its attenuation of mitochondria dysfunction and DNA fragmentation. GTP is a potential candidate for further development as a chemoprotective factor for the primary prevention of age-related eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
Xu
Jing-Yi
JY
Zhejiang University Tea Research Institute, Hangzhou, China.
Wu
Liang-Yu
LY
Zheng
Xin-Qiang
XQ
Lu
Jian-Liang
JL
Wu
Ming-Yan
MY
Liang
Yue-Rong
YR
D028241:Camellia sinensis; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005562:Formazans; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000077022:Survivin; D013662:Tea; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D005419:Flavonoids; D005562:Formazans; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D000077022:Survivin; D013662:Tea; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; C079782:MTT formazan