Posters

Prevention of experimental ultraviolet-induced apoptosis in explanted human lens epithelial cells enriched with caffeine: a pilot study

Poster Details

First Author: M.Ruiss AUSTRIA

Co Author(s):    M. Kronschläger   T. Dechat   O. Findl              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

In several experimental and epidemiological studies it was shown that caffeine has a protective effect on lens epithelial cells (LECs) and can prevent cataract development. This is probably due to the capability of the molecule to scavenge reactive oxygen species. In one of our previous studies it was shown that peroral caffeine intake leads to a dose-dependent accumulation of caffeine in the human lens capsule and LECs. Hence, our study aimed to investigate if caffeine accumulation in human LECs after oral intake is sufficient to prevent from ultraviolet radiation induced apoptosis.

Setting:

Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery (VIROS), a Karl-Landsteiner-Institute, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna.

Methods:

Patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery with caffeine abstinence of 1 week before surgery of each eye were included in this study. At the day of the surgery of the second eye, patients received 180 mg caffeine. After capsulorhexis the lens capsules were transferred into a culture dish, treated with UV radiation, and analysed for apoptosis using TUNEL assay.

Results:

In a previous study it was shown that caffeine levels in the human lens capsule/ epithelium after peroral intake significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Caffeine concentrations (caffeine ng/ lens capsule/ epithelium) measured as differences between 1st and 2nd eye were -0.52 ± 1.16 (0 mg caffeine group), 1.88 ± 2.02 (60 mg caffeine group), 2.09 ± 0.67 (120 mg caffeine group), and 3.68 ± 1.86 (180 mg caffeine group). The first results of the study will be presented at the congress.

Conclusions:

Caffeine can accumulate in the lens capsule and lens epithelial cells after peroral intake in a dose-dependent manner. The following study will show if this accumulation of caffeine is sufficient to prevent experimental ultraviolet radiation induced apoptosis.

Financial Disclosure:

... research is funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented