K. A. Rezai, L. Farrokh-siar, E. Gasyna
Sep 1, 2004
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Journal
American journal of ophthalmology
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine whether trypan blue dye induces apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelium cells. DESIGN Laboratory investigation. METHODS Pure cultures of human retinal pigment epithelium cells were isolated. The cells were incubated with different concentrations of trypan blue (0.5%, 0.10%, and 0.05%) for either 5 or 30 minutes. The rate of retinal pigment epithelium cell apoptosis was assessed with Annexin V-PE staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS Trypan blue induced a statistically significant amount of apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelium cells at all the concentrations (0.5%, 0.10%, and 0.05%) (P <.05). The increase in incubation time (from 5 to 30 minutes) led to an increase in the number of apoptotic retinal pigment epithelium cells. CONCLUSION The incubation of retinal pigment epithelium cells with trypan blue increased the number of apoptotic retinal pigment epithelium cells in vitro. Our results suggest that decisions regarding the intravitreal application of trypan blue dye need to be made with caution.