DICLOFENAC SODIUM AND CYCLOSPORINE-A INHIBIT HUMAN LENS EPITHELIAL-CELL PROLIFERATION IN CULTURE

Purpose: To investigate the effect of diclofenac sodium salt and cyclo sporin A (CsA) on human lens epithelial cell (HLEC) growth in culture. Methods: Cultures of HLEC were obtained from anterior capsules from e xtracapsular cataract surgery. Third-passage cells were seeded in 96-w ell plates in 0.1 ml culture medium. Cytotoxicity was estimated by the tetrazolium test in confluent monolayers after 24 h exposure to a wid e range of concentrations of diclofenac and CsA. The effect of subcyto toxic concentrations of diclofenac and CsA on HLEC proliferation in su bconfluent cultures was evaluated after 24 and 72 h of exposure. To in vestigate the relationship between PGE, synthesis and the inhibitory e ffect of these drugs, after 24 h of exposure to diclofenac and CsA the production of PGE(2) was measured by radioimmunoassay. We also tested the effect of exogenous PGE(2) addition to diclofenac 72-h-treated cu ltures. Results: Diclofenac and CsA (at concentrations greater than or equal to 65 MM and greater than or equal to 2.5 mu M, respectively) i nhibited the proliferation of subconfluent cultures of HLEC in a dose- dependent fashion. Diclofenac inhibits PGE, synthesis, while CsA at hi gh doses stimulates PGE(2) synthesis of cultured HLEC. Exogenous PGE(2 ) addition reversed in part the inhibitory effect of diclofenac. Concl usions: Diclofenac and CsA at appropriate doses are effective in inhib iting cultured HLEC proliferation. This could be of interest to preven t posterior capsule opacification. Further in vivo experimental studie s seem worthwhile.