Effects of triptolide on proliferation of cultured bovine lens epithelial cells and intracellular concentration of Ca~(2+)

Aim: To explore the effects and the mechanism of triptolide (Tri) on the proliferation of cultured bovine lens epithelial cells (LECs) in vitro. Methods: The fourth generation of bovine LECs were allocated into 5 groups and cultured with DMEM (normal control group), DMEM +50 μg/L rhEGF (proliferation group),50 μg/L rhEGF+40 μg/L Tri +DMEM (high-dose Tri group),50 μg/L rhEGF+20 μg/L Tri +DMEM (medium-dose Tri group),50 μg/L rhEGF+ 10 μg/L Tri+DMEM (high-dose Tri group).The inhibition rates of LECs and the expression rates of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were measured by MTT (colorimetric assay) and FCM(flow cytometry)at 6 h,12 h,24 h,48 h,and 72 h after culture,respectively. Cytosolic Ca~ 2+ was determined by the fluorescence determination with Fura-2 at 48 h after culture. Results: The inhibition rates of LECs changed in the time-dose-dependent way.In low-dose, medium-dose and high dose Tri groups, the positive rate of PCNA was lower than that of proliferation group. The intracellular Ca~ 2+ in medium-dose Tri group was higher than those in proliferation group and normal control group.Conclusion: Tri could effectively inhibit the proliferation of LECs in vitro, which may be evoked by changing the concentration of the cytosolic Ca~ 2+ .