Carteolol Hydrochloride Suppresses the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Rescues Cell Death After Ultraviolet Irradiation of Cultured Lens Epithelial Cells

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Anti-oxidant activities of adrenergic β-blockers are proposed in various organs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of carteolol hydrochloride, an adrenergic β-blocker, on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the viable cell number after ultraviolet irradiation of cultured lens epithelial cells (LECs).MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: Cultured LECs were exposed to 0, 10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) M carteolol hydrochloride for 30 min followed by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation at intensity of 100, 200, or 400 mJ/cm(2). The amount of ROS in the LECs was measured using dichlorodihydrofluorescein at 30 min after exposure to UVB. In addition, the number of living LECs was counted at 15 h after exposure to UVB.RESULTS: Exposure to 10(-3) M carteolol hydrochloride significantly decreased the amount of ROS after exposure to UVB at intensities of 100, 200, and 400 mJ/cm(2). In addition, 10(-3) M carteolol hydrochloride significantly increased the viable cell number after exposure to UVB at 400 mJ/cm(2). However, 10(-4) and 10(-5)M carteolol hydrochloride had no significant effect on ROS or the viable cell number in LECs.DISCUSSIONS: Carteolol hydrochloride protects LECs against UVB irradiation by inhibiting the intracellular production of ROS.