[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.

CONCLUSION

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.