VITAMIN-E INHIBITS RETINAL-PIGMENT EPITHELIUM CELL-PROLIFERATION IN-VITRO

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells migrating through the damaged r etina play an important role in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitr eoretinopathy (PVR). We found that alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) inhibi ts proliferation of human RPE in culture without exerting cytotoxic ef fects. Maximal inhibition was achieved with 100 mu M alpha-tocopherol. Our result could explain the observation that vitamin E supplements h ave an adverse effect on light-damaged retina and on the course of ret initis pigmentosa. Since it has been shown that supplemental oral admi nistrations of vitamin E can raise the RPE concentration of alpha-toco pherol well above 100 mu M and supplementation is not associated with any clinical relevant adverse effect, we believe that vitamin E could be beneficial in the treatment of PVR.