Effects of Simvastatin on the Expression of VEGF in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.
10.3341/jkos.2012.53.6.849
- Author:
Kyoung Jin KIM
1
;
Kyong Sil KIM
;
Na Rae KIM
;
Hee Seung CHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology and Inha Vision Science Laboratory, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. hschin@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Age-related macular degeneration;
Oxidative stress;
Retinal pigment epithelial cell;
Simvastatin;
Vascular endothelial growth factor
- MeSH:
Cell Survival;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay;
Epithelial Cells;
Humans;
Macular Degeneration;
Oxidative Stress;
Retinal Diseases;
Retinaldehyde;
Simvastatin;
Tetrazolium Salts;
Thiazoles;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2012;53(6):849-855
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To examine the effect of simvastatin on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells under oxidative stress. METHODS: RPE cell viability was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after 24 hours of incubation with various concentrations of simvastatin or H2O2. Cultured human RPE cells were pretreated with various concentrations of simvastatin and then incubated with 100 microm H2O2. After 24 hours of incubation, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to evaluate the expression of VEGF. RESULTS: Simvastatin showed no toxicity up to 10 microm, but cell viability gradually decreased with increased concentration of simvastatin. Human RPE cells showed increased VEGF expression when exposed only to H2O2. When RPE cells were preincubated with simvastatin and later exposed to H2O2, VEGF expression was relatively lower. CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin downregulated the expression of VEGF in human RPE cells under oxidative stress. Simvastatin may have some clinical benefits in preventing retinal diseases associated with VEGF.
