Effects of schisandrin B on apoptosis of lens epithelial cells treated with H_2O_2

AIM: To investigate the effects of Schisandrin B (Sch B) on apoptosis of lens epithelial cells (LEC) treated with H 2O 2. METHODS: Eyes in SD rats were excised and lenses were separated under operating microscope in sterilized condition. Lenses were divided randomly into four groups with different treatment: control group, hydrogen peroxide group (H 2O 2), pirenoxine sodium group (PS) and schisandrin B group (Sch B). Lenses were incubated in CO 2 incubator for 24 h with 300 μmol·L -1 H 2O 2 and with or without 0 5 mmol·L -1 Sch B. LEC aoptosis and apoptosis rate were measured by TUNEL method. Ultrastructure changes and apoptosis bodies of LEC were observed via transmitted electron microscope. RESULTS: (1) Apoptosis rate in H 2O 2 group (92.0±2.6) was significantly higher than that in control group (3.5±1.8). Apoptosis rate in Sch B group (13.8±3.27) was remarkably lower than that in H 2O 2 group and PS group. (2) Ultrastructure observation indicated that apoptosis cells occurred in most LEC in H 2O 2 group and the changes were severe presenting different stages. While a few apoptosis cells were observed in Sch B group, the changes were slight and most of them were in early and middle stages. CONCLUSION: These data indicated that Sch B significantly inhibited apoptosis of LEC during experimental oxidative injury, the effects were stronger than PS.