Sodium ferulate protecting against apoptosis of lens epithelial cell injured by oxidation

AIM To investigate if sodium ferulate inhibits the apoptosis of lens epithelial cell (LEC) resulted from the experimental oxidative injury. METHODS Eyes in SD rats were excised and lenses were separated under operating microscope and sterilized condition. Lenses were divided randomly into four groups: control group, hydrogen peroxide group (H 2O 2), pirenoxine sodium group (PS) and sodium ferulate group (SF). Lenses were incubated in CO 2 incubator for 24 h with 300 μmol·L -1 H 2O 2 and with or without 5.3 mg·L -1 PS or 5 mmol·L -1 SF. LEC apoptosis and apoptosis rate were measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated biotin dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Ultrastructure changes and apoptosis bodies of LEC were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS The results showed: 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 SF group (20.8±3.0)% was remarkably lower than that in H 2O 2 group and PS group. ② Ultrastructure observation indicated that apoptosis cells occurred in most LEC of H 2O 2 group and the changes were severe and presenting different stages. While a few apoptosis cells were observed in SF group, the changes were slight and most of them were in early and middle stages. CONCLUSION The study indicated that SF inhibited apoptosis of LEC of experimental oxidative injury significantly, the effects were stronger than PS.