Biomaterial Database

The effects of ascorbic acid on free radical injury in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells. 1995

K I Woo, and J Lee

Department of Ophthalmology, Hanil General Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid on oxidative injury of cultured porcine retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells induced by t-butylhydroperoxide. The porcine RPE cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and the culture medium was replaced with one containing 0.01 mM to 5 mM ascorbic acid and/or 0.2 mM t-butylhydroperoxide. After 2 hours incubation, the test medium was replaced with the control medium. The number of cells was counted with a Coulter counter after a 2-day incubation period. The medium was pretreated with 900 U/ml and the previous procedure was repeated to eliminate the toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide induced by ascorbic acid. Not only t-butylhydroperoxide (p < 0.01) but also ascorbic acid (p < 0.01) were found to have dose-dependent cytotoxicity on RPE cells. The cytotoxicity was more significant when both agents were added to the culture media. In the presence of catalase, the cytotoxicity of ascorbic acid became insignificant (p < 0.05). The cytotoxicity of t-butylhydroperoxide decreased when 1 mM and 5 mM of ascorbic acid was added to the culture media with catalase pretreatment (p = 0.0277). These results indicate that ascorbic acid was toxic to RPE cells in our culture model but this cytotoxicity was not detected in the presence of catalase. With catalase pretreatment, ascorbic acid in relatively high concentration provided protection against oxidative injury of t-butylhydroperoxide.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010545	Peroxides	A group of compounds that contain a bivalent O-O group, i.e., the oxygen atoms are univalent. They can either be inorganic or organic in nature. Such compounds release atomic (nascent) oxygen readily. Thus they are strong oxidizing agents and fire hazards when in contact with combustible materials, especially under high-temperature conditions. The chief industrial uses of peroxides are as oxidizing agents, bleaching agents, and initiators of polymerization. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)	Peroxide
D010857	Pigment Epithelium of Eye	The layer of pigment-containing epithelial cells in the RETINA; the CILIARY BODY; and the IRIS in the eye.	Eye Pigment Epithelium
D002452	Cell Count	The number of CELLS of a specific kind, usually measured per unit volume or area of sample.	Cell Density,Cell Number,Cell Counts,Cell Densities,Cell Numbers,Count, Cell,Counts, Cell,Densities, Cell,Density, Cell,Number, Cell,Numbers, Cell
D002470	Cell Survival	The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability.	Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D003470	Culture Media	Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN.	Media, Culture
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005609	Free Radicals	Highly reactive molecules with an unsatisfied electron valence pair. Free radicals are produced in both normal and pathological processes. Free radicals include reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). They are proven or suspected agents of tissue damage in a wide variety of circumstances including radiation, damage from environment chemicals, and aging. Natural and pharmacological prevention of free radical damage is being actively investigated.	Free Radical
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001205	Ascorbic Acid	A six carbon compound related to glucose. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and many vegetables. Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient in human diets, and necessary to maintain connective tissue and bone. Its biologically active form, vitamin C, functions as a reducing agent and coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant.	Vitamin C,Ascorbic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Ferrous Ascorbate,Hybrin,L-Ascorbic Acid,Magnesium Ascorbate,Magnesium Ascorbicum,Magnesium di-L-Ascorbate,Magnorbin,Sodium Ascorbate,Acid, Ascorbic,Acid, L-Ascorbic,Ascorbate, Ferrous,Ascorbate, Magnesium,Ascorbate, Sodium,L Ascorbic Acid,Magnesium di L Ascorbate,di-L-Ascorbate, Magnesium